1st Semester

Grade 12
Quarter 1/Week 2
UCSP

LESSON 2: Defining Culture and Society: The Perspective of Anthropology and Sociology

At the end of this lesson, the student will be able to analyze the concept, aspects and changes in/of culture and
society.

Culture and Society

Culture and society are two different concepts. Each has its own meaning and function.

Culture
According to Edward B. Tylor, culture is "that complex whole which encompasses beliefs, practices, values,
attitudes, laws, norms, artifacts, symbols, knowledge, and everything that a person learns and shares as a
member of society." Culture also encompasses social institutions like the family, church, school, and government.
Our culture defines who we are. Whatever it is that we do is part of our culture.
Society
Society can be defined as the interaction among people where a common culture can be shared. Society can also
refer to people from a particular place that shares the same culture. A common location may not just develop a
common culture. It can also be formed by gender, shared beliefs, values, norms, or activities.

For example, people from Bicol love spicy food while people from Iloilo are known to be sweet and caring.

Can you identify a common cultural practice in your society?

The Relationship of Culture and Society

Culture and society are two closely related concepts. For culture to exist and to be developed, it needs human
interaction. It needs people to interact with one another, and it needs people to practice it continuously. Without a
society practicing their common culture, the culture may cease to exist.

Culture is also essential to society because, without culture, society will be dull and will not continue to thrive. A
society without culture is like a body without a soul and vice versa. Culture and society need each other so they
can both develop and prosper.

Aspects of Culture: Dynamic, Flexible, and Adaptive

There are different aspects of culture like art, music, language, food, daily life, clothing, and religion to name a
few. These aspects of culture show us that culture is dynamic, flexible, and adaptive.

Culture constantly changes and adapts to the current state of society. It continuously restores itself whenever
customs do not fit in the current situation anymore. It does not remain stagnant.

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 1st Semester
Grade 12
Quarter 1/Week 2
UCSP

Examples:
In the aspect of music, we can see that music may change from time to time. The traditional music during the
1920s was mostly jazz, ragtime, and Broadway music while the popular music during the 1970s was disco music.
Because we are now more inclined to use computers and tablets especially when playing games, some children
are not able to play street games anymore. This pushed some game developers to introduce Filipino street
games as video games.
When it comes to language, we can also see how culture adapts to changing times. We have already developed
new words related to the internet like memes, netizens, vines, and others.
Aspects of Culture: Shared and Contested
Culture is learned and acquired through different interactions with people. Culture is a shared learning
experience. Because culture constantly changes, we get to share the learning process with other people.
If culture is learned and shared, it is also contested in various ways and situations. Because of diversity, culture is
subjected to debate and analysis.
Socialization and Enculturation
Society is different from culture. Within a society are many diverse cultures. While the members of society share
many of the same expectations and experiences, the cultural groups create some that differentiate them from
others in the community.
Socialization
Socialization is the process through which people learn to understand societal norms or expectations and societal
values as members of society.
Enculturation
Enculturation is the process by which an individual adopts the behavior patterns of the culture he or she is
immersed in.
Agents of Socialization
There are different agents of socialization−the family, community, mass media, and religion.
Examples:
In the aspect of music, we can see that music may change from time to time. The traditional music during the
1920s was mostly jazz, ragtime, and Broadway music while the popular music during the 1970s was disco music.
Because we are now more inclined to use computers and tablets especially when playing games, some
children are not able to play street games anymore. This pushed some game developers to introduce Filipino
street games as video games.
When it comes to language, we can also see how culture adapts to changing times. We have already
developed new words related to the internet like memes, netizens, vines, and others.

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 1st Semester
Grade 12
Quarter 1/Week 2
UCSP

Agents of Socialization
There are different agents of socialization−the family, community, mass media, and religion can strengthen the
unity within group because it is threatened by an external factor (Thompson and Hickey, 2005, p.129).
Example: You and your sibling fight over the TV almost every night, but when conflict arises between you and
your parents, you and your siblings’ team up.
Coercion
Coercion happens when there is a use of threat or force in persuading others. People usually coerce other people
when they cannot achieve their goals on their own.
Example: You force your brother to do your chores by threatening him that you will tell your mother that he failed
his exam.
Requires Language for Social Interaction
In every interaction, language is the most important tool that is always used.
Language is the transporter of a large part of our culture because some parts of our culture are passed on
through our mouths. There are no written records (Young, 1930). We can do social interaction through the use of
language. Language is not only restricted to verbal language. It is also used in non-verbal communication or body
language during interaction. For example, our first interaction with a friend is usually with a smile. This shows that
language, whether verbal or non-verbal, can help us learn and acquire culture.
Integrated and at Times Unstable
The patterns of social interaction are connected to each other and may change from time to time. The type of our
social interaction may change. A simple social exchange may lead to cooperation. A small competition may result
in a big conflict.
Example: You and your sibling fight over little things almost every day. When you came to school the next
day, you saw your siblings being bullied by his classmates. You immediately came to his aid, supported each
other, and stopped the bullies. This scenario shows that even if you and your sibling fight almost every day, you
will still opt to unite in times of need.

REFRERENCE:
Maria Carinnes P. Alejandria-Gonzalez. DIWA Senior High School Series: Understanding Culture, Society
and Politics Module
link.quipper.com/en/organizations/547ffd7bd2b76d0002002fd1/curriculum#curriculum
American Antropological Association. (2016). What is anthropology? Retrieved from
http://www.americananthro.org./AdvanceYourCareer/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=2150
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 1st Semester
Grade 12
Quarter 1/Week 2
UCSP

NAME: _____________________ GRADE & SECTION: _______________

SUBJECT: ___________________ TEACHER: _______________________

Worksheet No. ________

Video Observation
Quarter: 1 Week No: 2 Day: ____
Competency: Analyze the concept, aspects and changes in/of culture and society
Directions:
1. Observe Filipino greet to elder. List down the posture, words and action Filipino do in greetings.
2. Compare the Filipino greetings to other nations such as South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Middle East, Hawaii
and other western countries
3. List down your comparison.

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 1st Semester
Grade 12
Quarter 1/Week 2
UCSP
NAME: _____________________ GRADE &
SECTION: _______________
SUBJECT: __________________ TEACHER: _______________________

Worksheet No. ________

Quarter: 1 Week No: 2 Day: ____

Competency: Analyze the concept, aspects and changes in/of culture and society
Directions: Give at least 2 specific situations in the Philippines which describe the different aspect of society.
2 example each aspect of society
1. Dynamic and Flexible
A.)
B.)
2. Adaptive
A.)
B.)
3. Shared and Contested
A.)
B.)
4. Patterned social interaction
A.)
B.)
5. Integrated and at time unstable
A.)
B.)
6. Requires language and other form of communications
A.)
B.)