Culture and Society

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND

POLITICS
Society

Came from the French word “societas” which

means
companionship
It is a highly structured system of human
organization thatalso follows common laws,
traditions, values and customs
 Society
Auguste Xavier
Comte
French philosopher
thatdubbed as “the
first philosopher of
science”
“Father of
Structural Functionalism

It is a sociological theory stating that the society

is a framework that sees society as a complex
system of puzzle pieces and those pieces work
together to promote solidarity and stability
It is why schools, government, hospitals and
church have theirown function to perform in society
Conflict Theory

It is a sociological theory stated by Karl Marx that

the society is in a state of perpetual conflict
because of competition for limited resources. It
also holds that social order is maintained by
domination and power
Culture

It is defined as the norm and social behavior

found andpracticed in human societies
It is the complex whole which encompasses beliefs,
practices, values, attitudes, laws, norms, artifacts,
symbols, knowledge and roles that a person learns
and shares as a member of the society
Culture

It refers to an organization of phenomena that is

dependent upon symbols and includes acts
(patterns of behavior), objects (material things),
ideas (belief and knowledge), and sentiments
(attitudes and values)
Aspects of Culture

Culture being a complex set of

patterned social interactions is learned
and transmitted through socialization
or enculturation.
Aspects of Culture

Enculturation
It is the process a person adopts the cultural
patterns heor she lives in
It also teaches the person what is accepted
within thatsociety and lifestyle
Aspects of Culture

Cultural elements are learned rather than

acquired through inheritance or through any
biological processes
Aspects of Culture

Dual Inheritance Theory

Stated that human behavior (culture) is a
product of twodifferent and interacting
evolutionary processes: Genetic and Cultural
Evolution
Culture = “dynamic property of individuals”
Aspects of Culture

Most people adopt the complexities of

culture from the environment they are in
because cultural behavior and actions can
only be learned through observation,
experience and education
Aspects of Culture

Culture also requires language and

other forms ofcommunications
Aspects of Culture

Language is a key factor in the success of the

human racein creating and preserving culture.
Without language, the ability to convey
traditions/beliefs or ideas is impossible to be
done.
Aspects of Culture

Intercultural Communication
It is a study that focuses on communication
across different cultures and social groups, or
how culture affects communication
Aspects of Culture

Culture is also dynamic, flexible and

adaptive. It isconstantly changing through
time.
Subculture

It is a culture being practiced within a broader

variety of a culture, but practicing its own
separate values, practices, traditions and
beliefs
Real vs. Ideal Culture

Real Culture – Actual behavior patterns

exhibited bymembers of the society
Ideal Culture – These are cultural guidelines
publicly embraced by members of the society.
Also defined as the social patterns mandated by
norms and values
Elements of Culture
Norms – it is a society’s standards of acceptable
behavior. It is essential in a society because majority of
the people pattern their way of living after them
 Folkways – norms that are known to be the proper way of
dealing with their everyday living and social interaction
 Mores – these are customs or folkways that needs to
be followed by the society strictly
 Laws – formalized mores that are legislated,
approved and implemented in a society
Elements of Culture

Beliefs – This are the means of the people on

explaining the sense of their experiences or
ideas that they hold to be true, factual and
real.
Elements of Culture

Symbols – these are representations or

illustrations to represent a particular belief or
meaning of something. People who share or
practice the same belief or culture attach a
specific meaning to an object, gesture and
image.
 Elements of Culture

Swastika
“marker of goodness”
Symbolizing sun,
prosperity and good
luck
Elements of Culture

Language – it is the system of symbols that

individuals utilize to communicate, interact,
and share their views or beliefs, thus making
an understanding amongst individuals.
Elements of Culture

Social Institutions – this consists of a group

of peoplewho have come together for a
common goal or a purpose