CULTURE- -that complex whole which includes
knowledge, belief, art, laws, morals, customs
and any other capabilities and habits acquired
by man as a member of society.
Edward B. Tylor (1920), Anthropologist
-Culture denotes acquired behaviors and habits
that are shared by and transmitted among
groups of people as a result of their interaction
with one another. It is an accumulation that a
new generation inherits and a heritage into
which a child is born.
Sociology Guide 2005
-It is an acquired set of customs, traditions,
and a mindset transmitted across generations
within societies
SOCIETY- a complex web of relationships
existing out of man’s interaction with one
another.
August Comte, father of Sociology saw society
as a social organism possessing a harmony of
structure and function.
Talcott Parsons, an American Sociologist
conceives the society as a system comprised of
the interactions of many individuals within a
situation through commonly understood
cultural norms of generalized symbols and
associated meanings.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTURE
LEARNED- Culture is not innate, not genetically
inherited. Culture is learned through families,
peers, institutions and media.
SHARED- Large group of people would usually
share similar behavior patterns developed
overtime.
INTEGRATED- Culture possesses a systematic
order that allows the various parts and
elements to be integrated into a single whole.
ADAPTIVE & DYNAMIC- Culture adapts to
various environmental and geographical
conditions as witnessed through the context of
history
ABSTRACT- There is no single tangible
manifestation that can take the form of culture
itself. Culture is manifested through behavior,
habits, mannerisms and activities.
SYMBOLIC- All cultures in the world are driven
by symbols that stand for something.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CULTURE & SOCIETY
CULTURE & SOCIETY
CULTURE- CONSISTS OF BELIEFS
● PRACTICES
● TRADITIONS
SOCIETY- CONSISTS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO
SHARE A COMMON CULTURE
GLOBALIZATION- With the advent of
globalization and increasing virtual interaction,
society and culture are becoming more
interrelated than ever. Social media creates a
society where a specific culture arises which in
turns shapes that society. It leads to formation
of virtual groups and communities.
ETHNOCENTRISM & CULTURAL RELATIVISM
ETHNOCENTRISM- Strong adherence and
association to one’s cultural perspective may
create a tendency to view that of others as the
lesser truth.
“ETHNOCENTRISM can be defined as making
false assumptions about the ways of others

based on our own limited experience” —Barger
(2014)
CULTURAL RELATIVISM- Cultural relativism
promotes the idea that no culture is superior
over any other. It views culture as worthy in
their own right and are therefore of equal
value.
Create harmonious relationships with other
members of the society.
OBSERVATIONS OF SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND
CULTURAL BEHAVIOR AND PHENOMENA
Social phenomenon- Influences or is influenced
by organism sufficiently alive to respond to one
another

CULTURAL HERITAGE- According to UNESCO, a Cultural phenomenon- Occurs when something

cultural heritage is the legacy of physical
artefacts and intangible attributes of a group of
society that are inherited from the past
generations, maintained in the present and
bestowed for the benefit of future generations.
or someone gains widespread popularity.
-The process of something becoming popular
Political phenomenon- Affects the political
psyche

CULTURE & SOCIETY are intricately woven

together”

HUMAN BEINGS ARE

Social beings- We always belong to a group and
interact with people

Cultural beings- We carry our ancestors

traditions and beliefs, speak the language of our
parents, practice faith and the distinct way of
life of our community, create arts and heritage,
and transmit them to the next generation.

Political being- We are subject to power

relations

HOW WILL WE UNDERSTAND LIFE

Cultural background- Any culture or subculture
that an individual identifies as their heritage

Social background- Social demographics

-Position an individual takes on an issue

Political background/ideas- People who have

the same social background oftentimes share
the same political ideas

IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING ONE’S SELF