Why should people use different perspectives in recognizing the existence of culture and
society?
Why is culture said to be a product of society?
Find out the answers in this lesson!
Anthropology and Sociology
Humans are interesting subjects to study. The human story has a lot to say from their way of living to
the associations they form. The two interrelated scientific studies of society colloquially known as the
twin social sciences are anthropology and sociology.
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of people throughout the world, their evolutionary history, how
they behave, adapt to different environments, communicate, and socialize with one another.
Anthropology provides us with a big picture of what it means to be human.
The study of anthropology is concerned with the biological features that make us human
(such as physiology, genetic makeup, nutritional history, and evolution) and their social
aspects (such as language, culture, politics, family, and religion).
Sociology
Sociology is the study of human institutions and their relationships. This discipline examines
how human actions in modern societies are shaped by social groups and by wider social,
economic, and political pressures.
Sociology’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from crime to religion, from the family to the
state, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture,
and from social stability to radical change in whole societies.
Anthropological and Sociological Perspectives on
Culture and Society
In sociology, society is the leading concept while culture is subordinate. In anthropology, on the
other hand, culture comes first as a subject matter followed by society.
Let us put the two concepts this way.
When talking about culture, we are mostly talking about tangible factors which include
language, technology, and institutions−like our churches, schools, or houses.
However, culture also has intangible aspects such as our values and behaviors. It also
includes norms, the standards or rules of acceptable behavior.
Culture is what makes society a collective whole. It gives the community its form, shape, and
identity.
Society and Culture as a Complex Whole
Edward B. Tylor defined culture as "that complex whole which includes knowledge, art, belief, law,
morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society."
With this premise, it can be said that culture is a product of society. These two exist
dependently on each other.
Culture , just like every person in society, is susceptible to change or death.
Society is not constant. Its members change from time to time. As a result, culture changes
along. New trends exist. New technologies are invented and new means of interaction have
been created.
People evolve over time as a result of their exposure to renewed or changed laws, values,
and standards of society.
A society, in terms of sociology, is a group of people living and interacting with one another
to create a culture. Its population is bound by a shared culture−beliefs, attitudes, languages,
and institutions.
Explore!
Think about the different factors involved in shaping society and culture. How do they affect
continuous societal and cultural changes?
Try it!
Identify three societies or groups of people. Write at least three characteristics for each group.
What do you think?
What is the dividing line between anthropology and sociology? Culture and society?
Keypoints
Anthropology is the study of humans' evolutionary history and how people behave, adjust,
communicate, and socialize in different environments.
Sociology is the study of human institutions and their interrelationships.
Culture is a way of life of a group of people. It involves symbols, languages, values, and
norms.
Society is a community or group of people joined together by sustained bonds and
interactions.
