THE NATURE OF ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, AND
POLITICAL SCIENCE
The nature of society can be seen in
different components:
- actions and interactions of human
beings (social)
-practices and traditions cultivated
and maintained (cultural)
-power relations at play among
actors (political)
CULTURE – ANTHROPOLOGY
SOCIETY – SOCIOLOGY
POLITICS – POLITICAL SCIENCE
Culture – It has been called "the way
of life for an entire society". As such,
it includes manners, language,
religion, rituals, art.
MATERIAL CULTURE
– the physical objects that people
create and use
– tangible things
NON MATERIAL CULTURE
– do not have material existence
– Includes beliefs, ideas, and
knowledge
– Intangible things
Society – refers to people within the
same location, who have the same
cultural identity. Society as a
complex system whose parts work
together to promote solidarity and
stability (Macionis, 2017).
Politics – the set of activities that are
associated with making decisions in
group, or other forms of power
relations among individuals.
(Wikipedia). It is the act of governing
a country, state, etc. and the
decision-making process.
ANTHROPOLOGY – It is the study of
people and their culture. It uses a
research method known as
ethnography which anthropologists are
required to live with their subject for a
long period of time.
FRANZ BOAS – Father of Modern
Anthropology
Goals of Anthropology – Discover what
makes people from one another in
order to understand and preserve
diversity. Look at one's own culture
more objectively like an outsider - aims
to make "the strange familiar and the
familiar strange"
SOCIOLOGY – scientific study of
society. The study of human social life,
groups, and society. (Giddens, 1989).
AUGUSTE COMTE – Father of Sociology
Goals of Sociology – Provide a deeper
assessment of individual and group
behavior. Seeks to explain the bases of
social order and social change.
Improvements in social policy and
welfare
SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION – the
quality of mind that enables the
possessor to link personal problems
with social issues. This helps us
understand everyday events. While
social forces influence individual lives,
there are many ways in which our
individual lives can affect society as
well.
POLITICAL SCIENCE – systematic study
of government and politics. Focuses on
the fundamental values of equality,
freedom, and justice and its processes.
Goals of Political Science – understand
the nature and characteristics of
authority and power distribution. Keep
social order and harmony. Protect the
rights of an individual.
CONCEPTS, ASPECTS, AND CHANGES OF CULTURAL RELATIVISM AND
CULTURE AND SOCIETY ETHNOCENTRISM
CHARACTERISTICS of CULTURE 6. Culture is continuous and cumulative. Ethnocentrism – a belief that one's own
Culture exists as a continuous process. culture is better than others.
1. Culture is social because it is the In its historical growth, it tends to – compare, evaluate, and even judge
product of behavior. Culture does not become cumulative. Ralph Linton called other people's ways based on the values
exist in isolation. It is a product of society. culture "social heritage" of man. No and standards set in one's own culture.
It develops through social interaction. No culture ever remains constant or – It is the practice of judging another
man can acquire culture without
permanent. It is subject to slow but culture by the standards of one's own
association with others.
constant variation. Likewise, culture is culture.
responsive to the changing conditions – In anthropology, it is also called ethnic
2. Culture varies from society to society. of the physical world; hence, it is
bias or cultural bias.
Every society has a culture of its own that dynamic.
differs from other societies. The culture
*What is the effect of ethnocentric
of every society is unique by itself.
7. Culture is gratifying and idealistic. beliefs?
Cultures are not uniform. Cultural
Culture provides proper opportunities Cultural Relativism – a belief that
elements like customs, traditions, morals,
for the satisfaction of our needs and cultures are equally complex. There is
values, and beliefs are not constant.
desires. Our needs, both biological and no such thing as superior or inferior
social, are fulfilled in cultural ways. culture. It is a way of viewing the beliefs,
3. Culture is shared. Culture is not
Culture consists of the intellectual, values, and practices of a culture from
something that an individual alone can
possess. Culture, in sociological sense, is artistic, and social ideals, and its own viewpoint.
institutions where members of the – refers to the practice of assessing a
shared. For example, people of a society
share all customs, traditions, beliefs, society profess and strive to confirm. culture by its own standards rather than
viewing it through the lens of one's own
ideas, values, morals, etc.
Politics – Use or threat of use of legal culture.
4. Culture is learned. Culture is not force it allows the legal authority to use – We use our appreciation,
inborn. It is learned. Unlearned behavior force "authoritative allocation of acknowledgement, understanding and
then, is not culture. Shaking hands, saying values", "rule" and authority" to compel credit.
thanks, etc. are cultural behaviors. Not all anybody to obey its orders. – The main goal of cultural relativism is
behaviors are learned, but most of these cultural equality.
Society – COOPERATION & CONFLICT IN
be. Combing hair, standing in line, telling
SOCIETY Collaboration and struggle are
jokes, criticizing the president, and going What is the importance of cultural
to movies all constitute behaviors that general components in human relativism?
need to be learned. existence. Society depends on – Space for verification and validation
cooperation but since of interior of beliefs, traditions and practices.
5. Culture is transmitted among members contrasts, there is struggle likewise – Evaluation of morality and ethical
of society. Cultural ways are learned by among its individuals. This is the reason, soundness of cultural practices.
people from others. Many of these ways Maclver and Page saw that "society is – Ability to see the holistic point of view
are handed down from elders, parents, cooperation crossed by conflict". We of the culture Kilman (2017)
teachers, and others (most likely know from our own experience that an
individuals of older generation), while individual would be impaired, displayed
other cultural behaviors are handed up to down, and feels baffled in case he is
elders. Transmission of culture is made
required to do everything alone, without
possible by language. Language is the
the guide of others. "Participation is the
main vehicle of culture. Transmission of
most rudimentary interaction of public.
culture may take place also through
imitation as well as through instruction.

HUMAN CULTURAL EVOLUTION
– It is a saying that "human has no
contentment". As the environment changes,
we continuously grow and find ways to
maximize our effort as we live.
Palaeolithic Period (Paleolithic)
– it's happened 2.5 million years ago, also
known as "Old Stone Age".
– the Earth was extremely cold and ocean
levels were much lower than they are now.
(Ice Age) people were nomads and able to
use simple tools and weapons made of
unpolished stone.
– Human beings in this time were grouped
together in small societies and respect is
given to age, and individual prowess and
ability are recognized.
Neolithic Period ("New Stone Age")
– human began to develop a sedentary type
of society of which they built-up villages
and towns.
– a wide-scale transition of many human
cultures from a lifestyle of hunting and
gathering to of agriculture and settlement
kind of society which eventually led to
population increase. (First Agricultural
Revolution)
Age of Metals
– they discovered metals, and they
gradually abandoned stone as the basic
element for their instrument and tools. – a
more developed social, cultural, political,
and economic system was improved. Tribes,
empires, and states were recognized
EARLY CIVILIZATION and RISE of the STATE
Mesopotamian civilization – "Land between
two rivers" which is often referred to as the
cradle of civilization.
– first human civilizations were taking the
earliest steps from hunter-gatherer society
into settled community.
CULTURAL, SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND ECONOMIC SYMBOLS AND PRACTICES
Cuneiform – first writing systems Egyptian
civilization-emerged more than 5,000 years
ago along the River Nile in the north-east of
Africa. Modern State and Civilization
– European continent, several states and
civilizations grew tremendously over centuries.
In England, around 1500s, most of the people
lived in small villages. They paid tithes to their
feudal landlords.
– Spain in the year 1492, Spanish monarchs
Ferdinand and Isabella took Spain back from
the Muslim. It became the era of Spain as a
global power.
– In 1914, when various nation-states started
to claim their power and superiority over all
the nations in the world, the World War I begun
until 1918.
– In 1939, the World War II started until 1945.
The end of World War II led to the formation of
United Nations in 1945.
Symbol
– an object, word, or action that stands for
something else, without natural relationship,
that is culturally defined. – Gestures, signs,
objects, signals, and words that help people
understand the world.
– Provide clues to understanding experiences.
They relay recognizable meanings that are
shared by societies.
Symbolism
– when something represents abstract ideas or
concepts; it assigns names, denominations,
and defines relations between various
elements (actors, actions, goals, means,
objects, values, etc.) articulated within a
narrative.
Functions of Symbols and Symbolism:
– used to transfer culture, ideologies, or
beliefs from group to another group of
people.
– preserve traditions or beliefs of a certain
group of people.
– contain the "face" and "hidden" values, the
hidden value, in a functional perspective,
holds greater meaning and importance than
face value.
– create movements, spread ideas, and share
advocacies that surpasses time and distance.
Types of Symbols
Cultural Symbols
– manifestation that signifies ideology of a
particular culture that has meaning within
that culture.
Social symbols
– relating to human societies and its modes of
organization (ie., social classes, social
problems, social issues, etc.).
Political symbols
– used to represent a political standpoint;
seen in various media and forms such as
banners, flag, motto, etc.
– usually used to embody an ideology, an
advocacy, or a group of people with same
principles.
Economic symbols
– used in production, distribution, and
consumption of goods and services like
currency, market, labor, demands and other
economic activities. -represents economic
standpoint (Stock Exchange, Money, and
Currency, Gold and Petroleum, Life
Insurance, Banking, etc).
Cultural Symbols and Practices
– Objects, figures, sounds and colors.
– Facial expressions, word
interpretations, or gestures such as
handshakes and hand signals, instead of
symbols and signs.
Cultural Practices
– manifestation of a culture or sub-
culture, especially concerning the
traditional and customary practices of a
particular ethnic or other cultural
group. (religious and spiritual, medical
treatment, forms of artistic expressions,
culinary, housing and child-rearing
practices)
Social Symbols and Practices
– It is a visible, external denotation of
one's social position, an indicator of
one's social or economic status.
Political Symbols and Practices
– artifacts or objectifications of
different political meanings especially
related to power.
Political practices
– common things that are done within a
state or country. It is related to the
practices done in the administration,
distribution and attainment of power,
bureaucratic composition, etc.
 SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
GROUP
– composed of two or more people
interacting with each other and guided by
a set of norms. It is also defined as a
specified number of individuals where
each recognizes members as distinct from
non-members.
Social group
– composed of two or more people who
interact or socialize with one another,
share similar interests, beliefs, and values.
Classification of Social Groups
1. Primary Groups
– marked by concern for one another,
shared activities and culture, and long
periods of time spent together. They are
influential in developing an individual's
personal identity.
– maintain and develop the relationships
2. Secondary Groups
– involve weak emotional ties and little
personal knowledge of one another. Don't
have the goal of maintaining and
developing the relationships.
– based on usual or habitual interests or
affairs. It includes groups in which one
exchanges explicit commodities.
Sample: Nation, Church Hierarchy,
Professional Association, Corporation,
University classes, Athletic teams, and
groups of coworkers.
3. In-group
– belong to the same group as others who
share the same common bond and
interests who are more likely to
understand each other refers to an in-
group.
Sample: Sports team, Unions and
Sororities
4. Out-group
– do not belong to the in-group
are part of the out- group, which
exist in the perceptions of the in-
group members and takes on
social reality because of
behavior by in-group members
who use the out-group as a
negative point of reference.
5. Reference Groups
– a collection of people that we
use as a standard of comparison
for ourselves regardless of
whether we are part of that
group.
– to understand social norms,
which then shape our values,
ideas, behavior, and appearance.
To evaluate the relative worth,
desirability, or appropriateness
of these things. Sample: parents,
siblings, teachers, peers,
associates and friends.
Types of reference groups
– Normative reference group
influences your norms,
attitudes, and values through
direct interaction. (teacher,
siblings, friends)
– Comparative reference group
is a group of individuals whom
you compare yourself against
and may strive to be like.
(celebrities, heroes)
6. Network- collection of people
tied together by a specific
pattern of connections.
Characteristics:
– Number of people
involved/Structures/Functions
Family Members, Friends, Work,
Colleagues, Classmates
Socialization
– the process of learning one's society
and its culture. It is moreover the same
as interacting, mingling and being with
other people or groups within/ outside
of your society.
– It is a central process in social life.
– continuing process and necessity to
develop as a person. How do you feel in
a situation when it seems that you don't
belong and you are being isolated?
Agents of socialization
– different groups of people that
influence your orientations and
perspectives to life.
– play a crucial role in developing
yourself as a person and a member of
society.
1. Family – a huge part of your
personality is molded by your family
because this is where you spent your
childhood.
2. Schools – interact or socialize with
other people your classmates, teachers,
administrators and others which are
outside your family within a society.
3. Peer group – circle of friends, usually
have similar ages, social status and
shared interests. Your peer group
influences you on the way you can
accept yourself. It is with your peer
group that you find yourself belonging.
4. Social media
5. Community
6. Church
7. Government
Socialization focuses on the following.
1. Acquisition of Knowledge
2. Language
3. Values
4. Habits
5. Skill in the Society
SOCIALIZATION
TYPES OF SOCIALIZATION
1. Primary Socialization – occurs early
in a child's lifestyle and is primarily
due to have an impact directly from
the family and close friends.
2. Secondary Socialization – occurs
when a person learns about
appropriate behavior to be displayed
within a smaller group which is still
part of a larger society. Example
joining a club or organization in
college, getting employed in a new
workplace.
3. Anticipatory Socialization –
Adolescence is initiated between the
ages of childhood and adulthood.
During this stage, they start to
participate in Anticipatory
Socialization. They also learn about
their group culture and what they
should expect in the future.
4. Professional or Developmental
Socialization – occurs during the early
years of an individual's life. It
develops his skills and attitudes for
the future and prepares him for the
various roles and responsibilities that
he will assume as an adult.
5. Re-Socialization – when an
individual moves to a new group, he
has to learn the new values and
beliefs of the new group. This process
of re-socialization helps him to get
used to the new ways of life.
CONTEXT OF SOCIALIZATION
Biological Context – Sociobiologist
suggest that some human capacities
may be "wired into" our biological
makeup. Some hormones (i.e.
vasopressin and oxytocin) encourage
human to interact and socialize with
other people.
Psychological Context – composed
of (1) emotional states and
unconsciousness. (2) cognitive
theories of development (3) social
and historical events (4) social
position as part of the context
PARTS OF SOCIALIZATION
1. Context – denotes culture,
language, social structures, and the
individual's rank within them. It
includes the history and roles played
by the people and institutions in the
past.
2. Content and Process – the work or
activity in socialization. Content
refers to the details of what passed
from a member to a new member.
While process means the
interactions and ways these new
norms, values and customs are
thought to a novice
3. Results and Outcomes – refers to
what happens to an individual after
being exposed to a particular
content and process.
ENCULTURATION
– the process by which people learn
the requirements of their
surrounding culture and acquire
values and behaviors appropriate or
necessary in that culture.
– cultural knowledge is passed on to
the next bearer which will
perpetuate and ensure the
continuance of their traditions and
practices (Santarita and Madrid,
2016).