DEFINITIONS OF SOCIOLOGY, ANTHROPOLOGY 4.

Integrated: Culture is interconnected; changes in

AND POLITICAL SCIENCE one aspect of culture (like technology) can affect other
Anthropology: This is the study of humans, their parts (like work or social relationships).
societies, and cultures. Anthropologists look at how 5. Dynamic: Culture is not static; it evolves and adapts
people live, work, and interact across different times and over time due to external influences and internal
places, often focusing on traditions, beliefs, and human developments.
development. 6. Cumulative: Culture builds over time, as new
knowledge, customs, and technologies are added to
SUB- FIELDS OF ANTHROPOLOGY what already exists.
1. Cultural Anthropology- Focuses on understanding the 7. Varied: Different societies and groups have distinct
cultural aspects of human societies, including norms, cultures, resulting in a wide diversity of cultural
values, customs, and social structures. expressions across the world.
2. Archeology - studies past human societies through CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES
their material remain
• Cultural Relativism: This is the idea that all
3. Biological (or Physical) Anthropology-Examines the
cultures should be understood and judged based
biological and physical development of humans, our
on their own values and beliefs, rather than
evolutionary history, and how we adapt to different
environments
comparing them to another culture. It promotes
4. Linguistic Anthropology- Investigates the role of the understanding that no culture is superior or
language in human societies. It comprehends how inferior to another.
language and culture interact •Ethnocentrism: This refers to the belief that
one's own culture is superior to others. People
Sociology: Examines how people behave in groups with ethnocentric views often judge other
and how society is organized. It looks at things like social cultures based on the standards and customs of
classes, institutions, relationships, and how individuals their own, which can lead to bias and prejudice.
are influenced by social structures like family, schools, •Xenocentrism: This is the opposite of
and communities. ethnocentrism; it is the belief that other cultures
Political Science: Political science focuses on are superior to one's own. People who exhibit
systems of governance and power. It studies how xenocentrism might prefer the customs, products,
governments function, political behavior, laws, policies, or practices of another culture over their own.
and how decisions are made in society to maintain order
and address social issues.

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE
• Culture is the shared beliefs, values, customs, DIFFERENT TYPES OF SYMBOLS
behaviors, and traditions of a group of people. It Religious Symbols: Icons, signs, or objects
shapes how they live, communicate, and interact with representing religious faiths and practices, such as the
each other. cross in Christianity, the Star of David in Judaism, or
the Om symbol in Hinduism.
“a complex whole which includes Political Symbols:
knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, ✓ Flags: Represent a country or nation, like the
laws, customs, and anything acquired Philippine flag or the American flag.
by man as a member of society” ✓ National Emblems: Symbols like the national
-EDWARD coat of arms or the seal of government, which
TAYLOR represent authority and national identity.
✓ Icons of Political Movements: Symbols
• Norms are the rules or expectations of behavior and such as the raised fist for solidarity or peace
thoughts that are based on the shared beliefs within signs.
a specific cultural or social group. These norms guide Social Symbols:
how individuals should act, think, and interact with ✓ Status Symbols: Objects or practices that
others in a society. They can be explicit, like laws, or indicate someone's social or economic status,
implicit, like unwritten rules of politeness. such as luxury cars, designer clothes, or titles
• Language the main vehicle of passing culture from like "Doctor" or "Sir."
one generation to another generation. ✓ Cultural Icons: Famous figures, music, or
other forms of art that represent cultural ideals
Characteristics of Culture or norms.
1. Learned: Culture is not inherited biologically; it is Economic Symbols:
learned through socialization and passed from one ✓ Currency: Money, coins, or other forms of
generation to the next. exchange, like the peso (₱) or dollar ($),
2. Shared: Culture is shared among members of a representing economic value.
group or society, providing a sense of identity and ✓ Brands and Logos: Symbols used by
belonging. businesses to represent their identity, like the
3. Symbolic: Culture uses symbols, like language, Nike swoosh or McDonald's golden arches.
gestures, and art, to convey meaning and
communicate ideas within the group.
SOCIALIZATION
• The process through which individuals learn and
internalize the norms, values, behaviors, and skills
necessary to function as members of a society. It begins at
birth and continues throughout life, shaping how people
understand the world around them and interact with
others.
Agents of Socialization
✓ Family -the first and most important agent,
teaching basic values and norms
✓ Peers -who influence social skills and behaviors
✓ Schools -which teach discipline, knowledge, and
societal rule
✓ Media-which shapes perceptions and beliefs about
the world
Deviance and Conformity
✓ Deviance- refers to behavior that violates the
norms, rules, or expectations of a particular
society or group. It involves actions that do not
conform to the accepted standards or social rules.
✓ Conformity-process of adjusting one's
behavior, attitudes, or beliefs to align with the
norms or expectations of a group or society.
Levels of Conformity
1. Compliance- most basic level of conformity, where
a person outwardly conforms to the group's norms or
rules, but may not privately agree with them.
2. Identification- a person conforms because they
want to establish or maintain a relationship with a
group or because they admire the group’s values.
3. Internalization- deepest level of conformity, where
a person accepts the norms or values of a group as
their own, both publicly and privately.

SOCIAL GROUPS
1. In- groups- Groups to which an individual feels a
sense of belonging, loyalty, and identity.
2. Out- groups- Groups to which an individual does not
belong and may feel opposition or rivalry toward.
3. Primary groups-Small, close-knit, and personal
groups with strong emotional bonds.
4. Secondary groups- Larger, more impersonal groups
that are task-oriented and based on a specific goal or
purpose.

REMEMBER!

Primary group the is your core social group. Parents, close

friends from childhood. Long term relationships formed
which have a great social impact on the individual.

In group- a group you are affiliated with based on

identification - can be ethnicity, nationality, gender, religion,
etc.

"Focus, study, succeed."