UCSP – GROUP 2

Open and Critical Attitude Toward Different Social, Political, and Cultural Phenomena Through Observation and
Reflection

WHAT IS PHENOMENA?
 A phenomenon (singular) is something that is observed to occur or to exist. It is simply a fact or event that
can be observed with the senses, especially sight.

1. SOCIAL PHENOMENA
 SOCIAL PHENOMENA are the individual, external, and social constructions that influence a person’s life and
development.

Observable Events Under Social Phenomena

I. SOCIAL NORMS
- are unwritten rules and expectations that govern behavior within a society or social group.
II. SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
- is the hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups within a society based on factors like wealth, power,
and social status.
III. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
- are collective efforts by groups of people to bring about social or political change, often in response to
perceived injustices.

EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL PHENOMENA:

A. Food Taboo
- It is the act of prohibiting the consumption of certain food and drinks.
B. Istambay
- A Filipino term for "standby." This refers to a person who has nothing to do, or who is jobless or lazy or
someone who does not make use of his time in productive and sensible activities.
C. Marriage
- A formal union and social and legal contract between two individuals that legally, economically, and
emotionally unites their lives.

2. POLITICAL PHENOMENA
 POLITICAL PHENOMENA are not only limited to public offices as these also include how institutions like
schools, churches, or companies are run and governed.

Observable Events Under Political Phenomena

I. POLITICAL IDEOLOGY
- is a set of beliefs and values that guide a person's or group's political views and actions.
II. POLITICAL ACTIVISM
- is the engagement in activities aimed at influencing political decisions and policies, often through protests
or advocacy.
III. POLITICAL CORRUPTION
- is the misuse of political power for personal gain, often involving bribery, embezzlement, or other unethical
practices.

EXAMPLES OF POLITICAL PHENOMENA:

A. Elections
- It is the formal and organized process of electing or being elected, especially of members of a political body
or legislative body.
B. Political Dynasty
- It is a term used in politics to refer to a family in which several members are involved in public governance.
C. Political Candidate Endorsement by a Celebrity
- It is when a political candidate seeks the help of a well-known or influential personality in a campaign.

3. CULTURAL PHENOMENA
  CULTURAL PHENOMENA happens when something or someone gains widespread popularity. However, it is
noteworthy that it is not the subject that is the cultural phenomenon but rather the process of becoming
famous.

Observable Events Under Cultural Phenomena

I. Cultural Diffusion
- is the spread of cultural beliefs, practices, and customs from one society or group to another.
II. Cultural Hegemony
- is the domination of one culture's beliefs, values, and practices over others, often through social institutions
and media.
III. Cultural Appropriation
- is the adoption or use of elements from one culture by members of another culture, often without
permission and in a way that can be seen as disrespectful or insensitive.
EXAMPLES OF CULTURAL PHENOMENA:
A. Popularity (Fan Base)
- Popularity is the state of being liked, admired, or supported by many people.
B. Social Media Buzz
- Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are social networking sites where many people are members and interact
with other members through information, picture, music, and video sharing.

Social, political, and cultural behaviors and phenomena in the society are results of interactions within society.
People talk and share stories. People share ways of living among other things. People do things together and work for
the attainment of the common good and social order. These behaviors, be they usual or not, are natural responses to
changes and ideologies developing within society as a result of constant interactions between its members.

HOW SHOULD A PERSON SHOW CURIOSITY ABOUT SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND POLITICAL PHENOMENA?

1. OBSERVE
- Observation means paying close attention to the world around us. It means actively seeking out information and
being an engaged participant in our community.
2. REFLECT
- Reflection means taking time to process and analyze the information we observe. It means questioning assumptions
and considering different angles.
3. APPLY
- By applying our observations and reflections, we can make informed decisions and take action to improve our
community and the world at large.

WHY AN OPEN AND CRITICAL ATTITUDE MATTERS TOWARD SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND CULTURAL PHENOMENA?

I. CHALLENGES TO OUR BELIEFS

 An open and critical attitude allows us to challenge our beliefs and consider alternative viewpoints. It helps
us avoid confirmation bias and recognize our own limitations.
II. FOSTERING EMPATHY
 By being open to different perspectives, we can develop a greater sense of empathy and understanding
towards people from different backgrounds and experiences.
III. ENCOURAGING GROWTH
 A critical attitude pushes us to grow and adapt. It promotes curiosity and drives us to seek out knowledge
and new experiences.

CHALLENGES TO MAINTAINING AN OPEN AND CRITICAL ATTITUDE

I. CONFIRMATION BIAS
 The tendency to seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms pre-existing beliefs.
II. FALSE DICHOTOMIES
 The idea that complex issues can be reduced to simplistic binary choices.
III. GROUPTHINK
 The pressure to conform to group opinion and avoid conflict or change.

WAYS IN MAINTAINING AN OPEN AND CRITICAL ATTITUDE

I. THINK CRITICALLY
 Critical thinking helps you discern between well-founded knowledge and misinformation.
II. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
 Some topics or experiences may involve sensitive or potentially harmful aspects. Approach them with care
and sensitivity, and consider the potential consequences of your actions.
III. RESPECTFUL ENGAGEMENT
 When exploring social, cultural, and political phenomena, it's essential to approach them with respect for the
individuals and communities involved. Respect their boundaries, traditions, and beliefs. Avoid intrusive or
disrespectful behavior.
IV. AVOID ECHO CHAMBERS
 Avoid surrounding yourself exclusively with people who share your views. Echo chambers can reinforce
existing beliefs and hinder critical thinking.
V. DIVERSE INFORMATION SOURCES
 Make an effort to gather information from a variety of sources with different perspectives. Engage in
constructive and open dialogues with people who hold different viewpoints.
VI. BALANCE SKEPTICISM WITH OPENNESS
 While it's essential to be skeptical, don't let cynicism prevent you from being open to new ideas and
solutions.
VII. REFLECT
 Periodically reflect on your own attitudes and beliefs. Be willing to self-correct when necessary.
VIII. TAKE BREAKS
 Occasionally, take breaks from the constant stream of information and news. This can help prevent
information overload and burnout, allowing you to approach issues more thoughtfully.

BENEFITS OF CULTIVATING AN OPEN AND CRITICAL ATTITUDE

I. MENTAL FLEXIBILITY
 An open and critical attitude encourages mental flexibility, allowing us to adapt to new situations and
information.
II. CREATIVE THINKING
 By questioning assumptions and considering alternatives, we can cultivate more creative and innovative
thinking.
III. PERSONAL GROWTH
 By recognizing our limitations and being open to new experiences, we can achieve personal growth and
development.
GROUP 3
ANTHROPOLOGY - Nature, branches, perspectives & goal
 CULTURE - all the ways of life including arts, beliefs and Institutions of a population that are passed
down from generation to generation
 ORIGIN - the point or place where something begins or is created.
 BEHAVIOR - It is what a person does to make something happen, to make something change or to keep
things the same.

ANTHROPOLOGY
 It is the scientific study of humanity, concerned with human behavior, human biology, cultures, societies, and
linguistics in both the present and past including past human species.
 The word "anthropology" comes from the Greek anthropos ("human") and logia ("study"). Anthropology is
the study of people everywhere - today, yesterday, and long ago.

WHO IS THE FATHER OF ANTHROPOLOGY?

 Franz Boas is regarded as both the "father of modern anthropo1logy" and the "father of
American anthropology." He was the first to apply the scientific method to anthropology,
emphasizing a research-first method of generating theories.

NATURE OF ANTHROPOLOGY
 Anthropology is a dynamic subject, characterized by rapid change and diversification, So
that the present statement or any particular moment in time.
 A subject is concerned with the study of the social, cultural and biological diversity of humans.
 It can be divided into a number of specialization, although the boundaries between these are rarely exclusive
and change overtime.
 Study of humans and their ways of life from a global inflationary perspective.

BRANCHES OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Physical Anthropology
Archeology Anthropology
Linguistic Anthropology
Cultural Anthropology

1. PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
 Branch of anthropology concerned with the origin, evolution, and diversity of people. Physical
anthropologists work broadly on three major sets of problems: human and nonhuman primate evolution,
human variation and its significance (see also race), and the biological bases of human behaviour.
 Deals with the evolution of humans, their variability, and adaptions to environmental stresses.
2. LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY
 Linguistic anthropology studies the nature of human languages in the context of those cultures that
developed them. Scholars in the field seek to understand the social and cultural foundations of language
itself, while exploring how social and cultural formations are grounded in linguistic practices.
 Linguistic anthropology is the interdisciplinary study of how language influences social life.

What is an example of linguistic anthropology?

An example of linguistic anthropology is the study of how modern English came to be created. It descended
from a Proto-Germanic Language through an Anglo-Frisian language

3. CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
 Cultural anthropologists study how people who share a common cultural system organize and shape the
physical and social world around them, and are in turn shaped by those ideas, behaviors, and physical
environments. Cultural anthropology is hallmarked by the concept of culture itself.
 Cultural anthropology is a branch of anthropology focused on the study of cultural variation.
Examples of cultural anthropology include:
Exploring how language is learned and shared between cultures through linguistics.
4. ARCHEOLOGY ANTHROPOLOGY
  Archaeological anthropology is the study of past humans and cultures through material remains. It
involves the excavation, analysis and interpretation of artifacts, soils, and cultural processes.
 Examples of types of archaeological sites include campsites, caves, past settlements, monuments,
workplaces, farms, and many more. The most well-known type of material remains are artefacts. These
are objects that were once created or altered by human behavior.

PERSPECTIVE OF ANTHROPOLOGY
 A hallmark is its holistic perspective, understanding humankind in terms of the dynamic interrelationships
of all aspects of human existence.
 The key anthropological perspectives are holism, relativism, comparison, and fieldwork.

HOLISM
 Holism is the perspective on the human condition that assumes that mind, body, individuals, society, and
the environment interpenetrate, and even define one another. In anthropology holism tries to integrate all
that is known about human beings and their activities.

CULTURAL RELATIVISM
 The guiding philosophy of modern anthropology is cultural relativism—the idea that we should seek to
understand another person's beliefs and behaviors from the perspective of their culture rather than our
own.

COMPARATIVE OR COMPARISON
 This is the comparative perspective, the attempt to explain both the similarities and differences among
people in the context of humanity as a whole. Anthropology seeks to uncover the principles governing
human behavior that are applicable to all human communities, not just to a select few of them.

FIELDWORK
 Why is it important to anthropology? Fieldwork is among the most distinctive practices anthropologists
bring to the study of human life in society. Through fieldwork, the social anthropologist seeks a detailed
and intimate understanding of the context of social action and relations.

GOAL OF ANTHROPOLOGY
 discover what makes people different from one another.
 Discover what all people have in common.
 Look at your/our own culture more objectively, like an outsider.
 Produce new knowledge and new theories about humankind and human behaviors.
 To understand both our shared humanity and diversity, and engaging with diverse ways of being in the world.

BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
 trace the evolution of our lineage through time in the fossil record, and provide a comparative perspective
on human uniqueness by placing our species in the context of other living organisms.

ARCHEOLOGY ANTHROPOLOGY
 Reconstructing the material world of past societies as fully as possible.
 interpreting the historical significance and cultural meaning of that material world

SOCIAL-CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
 to study the diversity of human societies in time and space, while looking for commonalities across them.

LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY
 to understand the social and cultural foundations of language itself, while exploring how social and
cultural formations are grounded in linguistic practices.

IMPORTANCE OF ANTHROPOLOGY
 Studying anthropology fosters broad knowledge of other cultures, skills in observation and analysis,
critical thinking, clear communication, and applied problem-solving. Anthropology encourages us to
extend our perspectives beyond familiar social contexts to view things from the perspectives of others.
Group 4
SOCIOLOGY
 SOCIOLOGY - It investigates social structures, interactions, culture, social change, and social problems.
 GENERAL - This encompasses the study of society as a whole, focusing on social institutions, culture,
and social change.
 ECONOMIC - a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods
and services.
 SOCIETY - the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
 BEHAVIOR - the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others.

WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY?
  Sociology is the scientific study of society, human behavior, and social interactions. It investigates social
structures, interactions, culture, social change, and social problems. Sociologists use research methods
and theoretical perspectives to understand and address societal issues, and they apply their knowledge
to areas like social work, public policy, healthcare, and education to improve social well-being.
 Sociology is a good major for anyone interested in a career path that focuses on how human society
functions. It’s important for those interested in the field to examine the sociology major and explore the
subjects it covers.

BRANCHES OF SOCIOLOGY
1. GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - This encompasses the study of society as a whole, focusing on social
institutions, culture, and social change.
2. CULTURAL SOCIOLOGY - Examines the role of culture in shaping society, including cultural norms,
values, and symbols.
3. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY - Investigates how individual behavior and attitudes are influenced by social
interactions and societal factors.
4. ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY - Explores the relationship between economic systems, institutions, and social
behavior, including topics like inequality and labor markets.
5. POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY - Studies the interplay between politics and society, examining power
structures, political behavior, and social movements.
6. CRIMINOLOGY - Concentrates on the causes, control, and prevention of crime and delinquency within
society.
7. SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION - Analyzes educational systems, their impact on socialization, and
educational inequalities.
8. MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY - Investigates the social aspects of health, illness, healthcare systems, and the
impact of social factors on well-being.
9. ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY - Explores the relationship between society and the environment,
including topics like sustainability and environmental justice.
10. URBAN SOCIOLOGY - Focuses on the study of cities and urban life, including issues of urbanization,
urban planning, and community development.
11. RURAL SOCIOLOGY - Examines social dynamics in rural areas, including agriculture, community life,
and rural development.

NATURE OF SOCIOLOGY
1. Sociology is an independent science
2. Sociology is a social science, not a physical science
3. Sociology is a categorical and not a normative discipline
4. Sociology is a pure science and not an applied science
5. Sociology is a relatively abstract science, not a concrete science
6. Sociology is a generalizing and not a particularizing or Individualizing Science
7. Sociology is a general Science and not a special Social Science
8. Sociology is both a Rational and an Empirical Science

GOALS OF SOCIOLOGY
1. UNDERSTANDING SOCIETY
 Sociology seeks to understand the structure and functioning of society, including its institutions,
cultures, and social norms.

2. EXPLAINING SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

 It aims to explain why people and groups behave the way they do within a social context,
including the causes and consequences of various behaviors.
3. PREDICTING SOCIAL PATTERNS
 Sociology strives to identify and predict social trends, helping anticipate future developments
and changes within society.
4. PROMOTING SOCIAL JUSTICE
 It works towards identifying and addressing inequalities and injustices within society,
advocating for fairness and equity
5. FACILITATING SOCIAL CHANGE
 Sociology can provide insights into how to bring about positive social change, whether through

policy recommendations, activism, or community initiatives.
6. INFORMING PUBLIC POLICY
 Sociological research can inform the development of effective social policies and interventions
to address societal problems and improve the well-being of communities.
7. ENHANCING INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
 Sociology can provide insights into how individuals can navigate complex social dynamics and
foster healthier relationships within their communities and networks.

PERSPECTIVE OF SOCIOLOGY
Sociology encompasses various perspectives or theoretical approaches that help sociologists study and
analyze society from different angles. Some major sociological perspectives include:

a. FUNCTIONALISM
 This perspective views society as a complex system with different parts (institutions) working
together to maintain stability and equilibrium. It emphasizes the functions and roles of social
institutions in society.
b. CONFLICT THEORY
 Conflict theory sees society as characterized by inequality and conflict over limited resources. It
focuses on power struggles, social inequalities, and how dominant groups control and oppress
others.
c. SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
 This perspective examines the small-scale interactions and symbols that shape social life. It
emphasizes the role of symbols, language, and communication in constructing meaning and
social reality.
d. FEMINIST THEORY
 Feminist sociology focuses on the inequalities and gender-based discrimination that exist in
society. It aims to understand and challenge patriarchal structures and norms.
e. CRITICAL THEORY
 Critical theory is a broader approach that critiques society and its power structures, aiming to
uncover hidden inequalities and promote social change.
f. INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE
 This micro-level approach focuses on the day-to-day interactions of individuals and how they
create and interpret symbols and meanings. ritiques society and its power structures, aiming to
uncover hidden inequalities and promote social change.
g. STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
 This perspective examines the functions and dysfunctions of various social institutions and how
they contribute to the overall stability or instability of society.
h. RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY
 This perspective views individuals as rational actors who make decisions based on their self-
interest, considering the costs and benefits of their actions.
i. POSTMODERNISM
 Postmodernism challenges traditional sociological theories and emphasizes the fluid and
fragmented nature of contemporary society. It questions grand narratives and embraces
diversity and ambiguity.