UNDERSTANDI

NG CULTURE,
SOCIETY AND
Mardy G. Almerol

POLITICS
 THE
CONCEPT
OF CULTURE
 It was E.B. Taylor who conceptualized the definition of
culture in 1860s.According to him, culture is a
complex whole which consist of knowledge, beliefs,
THE ideas, habits, attitudes, skills, abilities, values,
CONCEP norms, art, law, morals, customs, traditions,
T OF
CULTUR feelings and other capabilities of man which are
E acquired, learned and socially transmitted by man from
one generation to another through language and living
together as members of the society (Arcinas, 2016)
 IMPORTANCE/
FUNCTIONS OF
CULTURE
Sociologists recognize and regard culture as one of
the most important concepts within sociology
because it plays a vital role in our social lives.
 IMPORTANCE/
FUNCTIONS OF
(1) it serves asCULTURE
the “trademark” of the people in the
society;
(2) it gives meaning and direction to one’s existence;
(3) it promotes meaning to individual’s existence;
 IMPORTANCE/
FUNCTIONS OF
CULTURE
(4) it predicts social behavior;
(5) it unifies diverse behavior;
(6) it provides social solidarity;
 IMPORTANCE/
FUNCTIONS
(7) it establishes social personality;
OF
CULTURE
(8) it provides systematic behavioral pattern;
(9) it offers ready-made solutions to man’s material and immaterial
problems; and
(10) it develops man’s attitude and values and gives him a
conscience.
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
1.Symbols
2.Language
3.Technologies
4.Values
5.Belief
6.Norms
ELEMENT
S
OF
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
1. Symbols
refers to anything that is used to stand for something else. It
is anything that gives meaning to the culture. People who
share a culture often attach a specific meaning to an object,
gesture, sound, or image. An example of which are the feasts
we are celebrating.
 The meaning of a gesture may differ from one society to another. This
familiar gesture means “OK” in the United States, but in certain parts of
Europe it signifies an obscenity. An American using this gesture might
very well be greeted with an angry look.
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
2. Language
is known as the storehouse of culture ( Arcinas, 2016). It
system of words and symbols used to communicate with
other people. We have a lot of dialects in the Phillipines that
provide a means of understanding. Through these, culture is
hereby transmitted to future generation through learning
(David and Macaraeg, 2010).
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
2. Language
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
3. Technology
refers to the application of knowledge and equipment to ease
the task of living and maintaining the environment; it
includes artifacts, methods and devices created and used by
people (Arcinas, 2016).
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
4. Values
are culturally defined standards for what is good or desirable.
Values determine how individuals will probably respond in
any given circumstances. Members of the culture use the
shared system of values to decide what is good and what is
bad
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
5. Beliefs
refers to the faith of an individual ( David and Macaraeg,
2010).
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
6. Norms
are specific rules/standards to guide for appropriate behavior
(Arcinas, 2016). These are societal expectations that mandate
specific behaviors in specific situations (David and
Macaraeg, 2010). Like in school, we are expected to behave
in a particular way. If violate norms, we look different.
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
Types of Norms
a. Proscriptive norm defines and tells us things not to do
b. Prescriptive norm defines and tells us things to do
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
Forms of Norms
a. Folkways
a. Folkways are also known as customs (customary/repetitive
ways of doing things); they are forms of norms for everyday
behavior that people follow for the sake of tradition or
convenience. Breaking them does not usually have serious
consequences.
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
Forms of Norms
b. Mores
Mores are strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior;
they are based on definitions of right and wrong (Arcinas, 2016).
They are norms also but with moral understones (David and
Macaraeg, 2010). For example, since our country Philippines is a
Christian nation, we are expected to practice monogamous
marriage.
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
Forms of Norms
c. Laws
are controlled ethics and they are morally agreed, written down
and enforced by an official law enforcement agency (Arcinas,
2016). They are institutionalized norms and mores that were
enacted by the state to ensure stricter punishment in order for the
people to adhere to the standards set by society
 TWO COMPONENTS OF
CULTURE
1. Material culture
consists of tangible things (Banaag, 2012). It refers to the physical
objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define their culture.
2. Non-material culture
consists of intangible things (Banaag, 2012). Non‐material culture
refers to the nonphysical ideas that people have about their culture,
including beliefs, values, rules, norms, morals, language,
organizations, and institutions.
MODES OF
ACQUIRIN
G
 MODES OF ACQUIRING
CULTURE
1. Imitation
Children and adults alike have the tendency to imitate the
values, attitudes, language and all other things in their
social environment. Some of those things imitated are
internalized in their personality and become a part of their
attitude, character and other behavioral pattern
 MODES OF ACQUIRING
CULTURE
2. Indoctrination or Suggestion

This may take the form of formal training or informal

teaching. Formally, the person learns from school.
Informally, he may acquire those behaviors from listening
or watching, reading, attending training activities or
through interaction.
 MODES OF ACQUIRING
CULTURE
3. Conditioning

The values, beliefs, and attitudes of other people are

acquired through conditioning. This conditioning can be
reinforced through reward and punishment.
MODES OF ACQUIRING
CULTURE
1.Imitation
2.ndoctrination or Suggestion
3. Conditioning
 ADAPTATION OF
CULTURE
1.Diffusion
refers to those behavioral patterns that pass back and forth from one
culture to another. This is the transfer or spread of culture traits
from one another brought about by change agents such as people or
media Examples: food and eating practices, marriage and wedding
ceremonies, burial rituals, feast celebrations
 ADAPTATION OF
1.Diffusion
CULTURE
What causes
cultural diffusion?
Trade is a very common cause of cultural diffusion. Cultures
that are located close to each other tend to have more contact,
which naturally results in a high rate of exchange of goods,
trade and ideas.
 ADAPTATION OF
CULTURE
2.Fission
It takes place when people break away from their original
culture and start developing a different culture of their
own.
 ADAPTATION OF
CULTURE
3.Accommodation
Accommodation occurs when the larger society and
smaller society are able to respect and tolerate each other’s
culture even if there is already a prolonged contact of each
other’s culture.
 ADAPTATION OF
CULTURE
3.Accommodation
An example of cultural accommodation would be if you
were Chinese living in the United States and you spoke
English when you are outside of your personal sphere, but
when at home you speak your native language.
 ADAPTATION OF
CULTURE
4.Convergence
Convergence takes place when two or more cultures are
fused or merged into one culture making it different
from the original culture
ADAPTATION OF
CULTURE
1.Fission
2. Diffusion
3.Accommodation
4.Convergence
CAUSES OF
CULTURAL
CHANGE
CAUSES OF CULTURAL
CHANGE
-Discovery
-Invention
-Diffusion
-Colonization
-Rebellon and revolutionary
 CAUSES OF CULTURAL
CHANGE
1.Discovery
Discovery is the process of finding a new place or an
object, artefact or anything that previously existed. For
example, the discovery of fire led to the art of cooking;
discovery of oil, of organisms and substances; of
diseases; of atoms and sources of energy.
 CAUSES OF CULTURAL
CHANGE
2. Invention
It implies a creative mental process of devising, creating
and producing something new, novel or original; and
also the utilization and combination of previously known
elements to produce that an original or novel produc
 CAUSES OF CULTURAL
CHANGE
3. Diffusion
is the spread of cultural traits or social practices from a
society or group to another belonging to the same
society or to another through direct contact with each
other and exposure to new form
 CAUSES OF CULTURAL
CHANGE
5. Rebellon and revolutionary
Rebellon and revolutionary movements aim to change
the whole social order and replace the leadership. The
challenge the existing folkways and mores, and propose
a new scheme of norms, values and organization
 ETHNOCENTRISM,
XENOCENTRISM AND
CULTURAL RELATIVISM
AS ORIENTATIONS IN
VIEWING OTHER
CULTURES
 Etnocentrism
• Ethnocentrism is the measuring and judging of one
culture by another culture.
• This can be either a positive or negative judgment
about the difference between the beliefs of the two
cultures.
• Ethnocentrism is also believing in the inferiority of
other cultures compared to the superiority of one's
own culture.
 Etnocentrism
• A person who is ethnocentric will shun and look
down upon other cultures and the ways they do
things (also known as ‘cultural bias‘).
 Etnocentrism
Examples:
1. Judging Other Countries’ Diets
An example of ethnocentrism is when you judge other
countries for the way they eat, but don’t have a moral
reason for this.
 Etnocentrism
Examples:
2. Expecting Others To Speak English
Many of us arrogantly believe that everyone should
speak English to us, no matter where we are in the
world.
 Etnocentrism
Examples:
2. Expecting Others To Speak English
 Etnocentrism
Examples:
3. Judging Women’s Cultural Outfits
Women’s outfits differ significantly across cultures
and societies. And while many of us might say “It’s a
woman’s right to decide what she wears and we
should respect her no matter what”, different cultures
have various views on this!
 Etnocentrism
Taking a look at ethnocentrism helps us to identify our
own biases and blind spots. And usually, people who
study ethnocentrism come to conclusions that
highlight the importance of cultural pluralism (that is,
cultures living together and respecting one another)
and compassion.
 Xenocentrism
• Xenos is a Greek word that means stranger or foreigner;
correspondingly,
• xenocentrism is the preference for another culture or other
cultures over one's own culture.
• A person practicing xenocentrism assumes that foreign
cultures are superior to their own, and thus values the
goods, styles, ideas, and traditions, among other aspects of
foreign cultures, more than that of their own culture.
 Xenocentrism
Examples
• The belief that the way of dress by another culture
is significantly superior and that those within one's
native country should adopt that same dress
• The belief that other countries produce better
children's toys
 Xenocentrism
Examples
• The concept that a quality product can't be
purchased in one's native country
• The idea that cloth to make clothes is better
produced by other nations
 Cultural relativism
• Cultural relativism is the ability to understand a culture
on its own terms and not to make judgments using the
standards of one's own culture.
• There is a popular saying that goes like this: "What is
unacceptable and bad in a group of people may be good
and acceptable in another group of people."
 Cultural relativism
Examples:
• When we are visiting, follow the rules of the house
we visit, even if they are different from those that
govern our house.
• Respect the worship of gods other than those we
worship, even if we do not worship any gods and do
not believe in their existence.
 Cultural relativism

Before criticizing a cultural practice, understand

the reasons for it, but also the criticisms that arise
from within that same culture.
 Advantages of Cultural Relativism:

1. It promotes cooperation.
2. Respect and Equality is encouraged.
3. It preserves human cultures.
4. Cultural relativism creates a society without
judgement.
Create a 3-minute video in connection with the
topics Ethnocentrism, Xenocentrism and Cultural
Relativism.

The criteria will be your guide in making a short

video.
Concept - 50%
Relevance to the topic - 30%
Creativity - 10%
Over all impact- 10%
Total: 100%
 ETHNOCENTRISM,
XENOCENTRISM AND
CULTURAL RELATIVISM
AS ORIENTATIONS IN
VIEWING OTHER
CULTURES
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
1. Cultural diversity
-refers the differentiation of culture all over the world which means
there is no right or wrong culture but there is appropriate culture for
the need of a specific group of people.
2. Sub-culture
-refers to a smaller group within a larger culture
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
3. Counterculture
-refers cultural patterns that strongly oppose those widely accepted
within a society (example in the 1960”s counter culture among
teenagers reflect long hair, blue jeans, peace sign, rock and roll
music and drug abuse).
Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
4. Culture lag
-is experienced when some parts of the society do not change as fast
as with other parts and they are left behind
- The term cultural lag refers to the notion that culture takes time to
catch up with technological innovations, and the resulting social
problems that are caused by this lag.
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
5. Culture shock
-is some sort of adjustment you might feel when you are subject to a
new way of living and an unfamiliar setting around you.
Example:
Food Culture Shock
In some countries like Thailand and Africa, people eat wild field Rats
roasted on a stick.
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
5. Culture shock
-Some restaurants in Asian cultures specialize in dog meat dishes.
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
6. Ideal culture
- is the high standards, ethics, and values that society
considers supreme and aspires to adopt or claims to
profess. In other words, it is an idealized value system of
society that guides perfect behavior by individuals.
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
7. Real culture
-refers to the actual patterns that only approximate cultural
expectations. The standards and values a society actually has, instead
of pretends or tries to have.
-is the ethics, norms, and values that the society actually observes or
follows.
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
Real culture vs. Ideal culture
For example, lying is immoral and unethical.
So, ideal culture dictates everyone to always be
truthful. The whole society idealizes this aspect.
But in reality, in the real culture, people lie every
now and then to gain maximum benefit.
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
Real culture vs. Ideal culture
Take another example. Every society professes to hold the
principles of equality and justice for every individual or member
of the society. But in the real culture, there is great discrimination
in the society. Individuals are treated and discriminated against on
the basis of their social status. There is a wide gap and division
between rich and poor.
 Bridging the Gap between Ideal and
Real Culture
A man can never be perfect. He is selfish and self-centered
by nature. As society consists of men; naturally it can never
be perfect too. Although people idealize the principles of
high moral and ethical values and standards, yet their own
self centric nature overshadows it. Given this bitter reality,
society can hardly achieve its ideal culture.
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
- Ideal culture is idealistic, not realistic, as it does not exist anywhere
in the world. In every society, some aspects of the real culture tend
to deviate from those standards and values of the ideal culture.

- In short, there is always a difference or a gap between society’s

ideal culture and its real culture.
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
8. High culture
-It can be defined as a subculture that is shared by the upper class of
the society.
- In other words, this includes the elites of the society. High culture
consists of specific consumption patterns, lifestyle, literature,
beliefs and attitudes, leisure activities that set the elites apart from
the mass society.
- Opera, expensive restaurants, classical music, and renaissance art are
some examples.
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
9. Popular culture
Popular culture can be defined as a subculture that is shared by
everyone or the mass of the society. Similar to high culture, popular
culture also has its consumption patterns, lifestyle, literature, beliefs
and attitudes, and leisure activities.
-Fast food chains and pop music are some examples of popular culture.
 Other Important Terms Related to
Culture
10.Culture change
-is the manner by which culture evolves.