Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Regional Office IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

12 Zest for Progress

Z Peal of artnership

Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
Second Semester – Module 2: Concepts,
Aspects, and Changes of Culture and Society

Name of Learner: ___________________________

Grade & Section: ___________________________
Name of School: ___________________________
 Development Team of the Module

Writer/s: Noemie D. Diaz

Airen P. Narciso
Editor: Mohamar D. Rindo, PhD
Juvy R. Mustapha, EdD
Evaluators: Edna A. Opog EdD
Illustrator: Yancie P. Siaboc
Wilbore K. Papellero
Layout Artist:
Management Team: Majarani M. Jacinto, EdD, CESO VI
OIC, Schools Division Superintendent

Visminda Q. Valde, EdD

OIC, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Raymond M. Salvador, EdD, CESE

OIC, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Juliet A. Magallanes, EdD

CID Chief

Florencio R. Caballero, DTE

EPS - LRMDS

Alma L. Carbonilla, EdD

EPS – Araling Panlipunan

What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to assist
you master the ideas of culture and society. The scope of this module permits it to
be employed in many various learning situations. The language used acknowledges
the various vocabulary levels of students. The teachings are organized to follow the
quality sequence of the course. However, the order within which you browse them
may be modified to correspond with the textbook you are currently using.

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The module presents the topics on:
• Society and Culture as a fancy Whole
• Aspects and Changes of Culture and Society
After researching this module, you are expected to:
1. Analyze the concept, aspects and changes in/of culture and society.

What I Know
Pretest

Multiple Choice: Encircle the letter that corresponds to your chosen answer.
1. It is considered the ‘’essence of society’’ and is the enduring subject of social
science explorations.
A. Artifact
B. The Social
C. The Political
D. Power relation

2. Cultural idiosyncrasies are perfect examples of this concept.

A. Cultural Conflict
B. Cultural Diversity
C. Social Diversity
D. Social Stratification

3. Which of the following shows the existence of xenocentrism culture.?

A. Ana love to eat chocolates made by her mother
B. The president advocates the “Bayan Muna Bago Sarili” program.
C. Laura fear to lose on a Quiz Bee competition that is why she study day and
night.
D. Juan loves to by imported goods because he thinks it is better than the
local product.

4. The following are functions of culture except

A. Culture defines situations
B. Culture provides behavior patterns
C. Culture defines attitudes, values, and goals
D. Culture is transmitted among members of society

5. When do we become ethnocentric?

A. When you judge the behavior and beliefs of people who are different from
you
B. When you believe that there are primitive cultures, especially if their way
of life is different from yours

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 C. When you believe that some cultures are backwards if they lack the
technology and consumerism of your own culture
D. All of the above

True or false. Assess whether the statements in column A are true or false. In
column B, write T if the statement if true and write F if the statement is false.

A B
1. It is the habit of each group to take for granted the superiority of
its culture.
2. Culture relativism does not mean that all customs are equally
valuable, nor does it imply that no customs are harmful.
3. Equality and similarity do not necessarily translate to real or
imagined inferiority/ superiority of cultures out there.
4. As an attitude, ethnocentrism promotes greater appreciation of the
cultures that one encounters along the way.
5. Ethnocentrism is a sense of value and community among people
who share a cultural tradition.
6. As a behavior, cultural relativism is a good way to rehearse the
norms and values of society.
7. People everywhere think that their own expectations, opinions, and
customs are right, true, proper, natural, and moral.
8. Culture relativism is a research method as well.

9. Ethnocentrism hinders the understanding or cooperation between

groups.
10. Ethnocentrism encourages the solidarity of a group.

Culture and Society: The

Lesson
Perspectives of Anthropology
2
and Sociology

What’s In
This self-learning module will assist you with understanding the ideas of
culture and society. Especially, you will learn culture and society as an unpredictable
entire, just as different angles. This module will assist you with understanding
society as that field which incorporates convictions, rehearses, values, mentalities,
laws, standards, antiques, images, information, and all that an individual learns and
offers as a citizen. Likewise, the module will assist you with understanding the

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highlights of culture and society, and the critical changes or change occurring in the
current society.

Activity 1. Let us Review!

Directions: Based on the past conversation, compassionately review the three faces
of the Social Science, and give the meaning of each faces, human studies
(anthropology), human science (sociology), and political science. Write your answer
in the graphic organizer below.

Anthropology

Sociology Political Science

Faces of Social Science

What’s New
Activity 2. What I Think About This
Directions: Rundown your perception about the given picture beneath. Keep in
touch with your perception in the space provided.

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 What Is It
Society and culture are two durable constructs in the vocabulary of the social
science. Although they can be claimed as” niche concepts” in sociology and
anthropology, these terms are so malleable that other disciplines (such as political
science, psychology, history, and economics to mention a few) have been quite
successful in expanding their perspective frontiers using them as a tool. In this
context, culture and society become “fugitive concepts” as their explanatory features
move beyond the ambits of their “original disciplines.

Society is formally defined as constituting a fairly large number of people who

are living in the same territory, are relatively independent of people outside their
area, and participate in common culture.

Culture according to E.B Tylor “is that complex whole which includes
knowledge, belief, art, morals, laws, customs, and ant other capabilities and habits
acquired by man as a member of society.

The relationship between society, culture and personality is stressed by Ralph

Linton “A society is an organized group of individuals. A culture is an organized group
of learned responses. The individual is a living organism capable of independent
thought, feeling, and action, but his independence is limited, and all his resources
are profoundly modified by contact with the society and culture in which he
develops.”

Aspects of Culture

E.B Taylor, an English anthropologist, was the first to coin the term ‘culture’
in the eighteenth century. The study of society is incomplete without the proper
understanding of the culture of that society because culture and society go together.
Culture is a unique possession of man. Man is born and brought up in a cultural
environment. Culture is the unique qualify of man which separates him from lower
animals. Culture includes all that man acquires in his social life.

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Characteristics of Culture

1.Culture is social because it is the product of behavior- culture does not exist in
isolation. It is a product of society. It develops through social interaction. No man
can acquire culture without association with others.

2. Culture varies from society to society- the variation in cultural manifestations

is explained by the fact that culture is a human product. Culture is not force
operation by itself and independent of human actors.

3. culture is shared- culture is not something that an individual alone can possess.
Culture, in a sociological sense, is shared. For example, customs, traditions, beliefs,
idea, values, morals, etc. are all shared by people of a group or society. The patterns
of learned behavior and the results of behavior are possessed not by one or few
persons, but usually by a large group.

4. culture is learned- culture is not inborn. It is learned. Culture is often called

“learned ways of behavior. “Unlearned behavior is not culture. But shaking hands,
saying thank you, etc. are cultural behavior.

5. culture is transmitted among members of society- the cultural ways are

learned by persons from persons. Many of them re “handed down” by elders, parents,
teachers, and others (of somewhat older generation) while other cultural behavior is
“handed up” to elders. Some of the transmission of culture is among contemporaries.

6. culture is continuous and cumulative- in its historical growth, it tends to

become cumulative. Linton called culture “the social heritage’ of man.it becomes
difficult for us to imagine what society would be like without culture.

7. culture is gratifying and idealistic- culture provides opportunities for the

satisfaction of our needs and desires. Our needs both biological and social are
fulfilled in the cultural ways.

Functions of Culture

1.Culture defines situations

2.Culture defines attitudes, values, and goals
3. culture defines myths, legends and the supernatural
4. culture provides behavior patterns.

Ethnocentrism

The word ethno come from the Greeks and it refers to a people, nation, or
cultural grouping. Centric, on the other hand comes from Latin and refers to the
“center.” The term ethnocentrism then refers to the tendency of each society to place
its own culture patterns at the center of things. Ethnocentrism is the practice of
comparing other cultural practices with those of the one’s own and automatically
finding those other cultural practices to be inferior. In other word, it is the act of
evaluating other cultures according to perceptions originating in the standards and
customs of one’s own culture.

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Functions of Ethnocentrism

1. enthocentrism encourages the solidarity of the group

2. ethnocentrism hinders the understanding or the cooperation between groups.
3. ethnocentrism becomes the vehicle for the promotion of social change.

Cultural Relativism

Cultural relativism is the idea that all norms, beliefs, and values are
dependent on their cultural context and should be treated as such. In a way, cultural
relativity is a belief that maintains it does not matter whether culture is equal or
different because equality and similarity do not necessarily translate to real or
imagined inferiority/ superiority of cultures out there.

Xenocentrism and Xenophobia

Since we are dealing with behaviors that result in evaluation of cultures, we

need to include two related concepts. Xenocentrism and xenophobia.
Xenocentrism refers to a preference for the foreign. In this sense, it is the exact
opposite of ethnocentrism. It characterized by a strong belief that one’s own
products, styles, or ideas are inferior to those which originate elsewhere. One clear
indication of the existence of xenocentrism is our preference for imported good.
Filipinos seem happy to pay more for imported goods on the assumption that
anything from abroad is better.
Xenophobia, on the other hand, is the fear of what is perceived as foreign or
strange. Xenophobia can be seen in the relation and perceptions of an in-group
toward an out-group. It may include fear of losing identity, suspicion of the other
group’s activities, aggression, and the desire to eliminate the presence of the other
group to secure presumed purity. Xenophobia can also be exhibited in the form of
an: “uncritical exaltation of another culture” in which a culture is ascribed “an
unreal, stereotyped, and exotic quality.”

Culture as Heritage

Cultures have tangible (visible) and intangible (nonmaterial) components. The

tangible ones are those produced and created base on specific and practical purposes
and aesthetic values. Cultural artifacts both tangible and intangible may become
“heritage objects” by their sheer age and association with momentous historical
events and noteworthy personalities. Hence, as an icon of cultural memory, they may
serve as irreplaceable emblems of events and personalities that once made a culture
proud and pleased. The typical heritage artifacts are sites and objects (national flag),
while typical intangible heritage may be associated with events. In the Philippines,
historical sites include, but ae not limited to, the abodes of heroes and significant
historical personalities. Intangible heritage may include our national anthem and
literary creations such as music, dances, and other literary genre unique to the
Philippines.

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 What’s More
Activity 3. Observation Exercise
For an hour, sit down outside your house or in a sari-sari store and observe how
people conduct themselves that place. Take note of the unwritten rules of decorum
and propriety. Avoid being observed by those you are observing, otherwise you may
not get the data you are looking for. Write down your observation.

OBSERVATION EXERCISE

Activity 4. My Culture, My Poster

Instruction: Create a Poster about your own culture. Fill out the following
information on your own poster such as family, language, ethnicity/ heritage,
foods, religious beliefs, traditions, arts/music, knowledge around your face.

FAMILY RELIGION
TRADITION/CUSTOMS

LANGUAGE

FOODS
ETHNICITY/HERITAGE

KNOWLEDGE MUSIC/ARTS

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 RUBRICS 4 Points 3 Points 2 Points 1
FOR POSTER Point
MAKING
Coverage of Details on the Details on the Details on the poster Details on the
the Topic poster capture the poster include relate to the topic but poster have
important important are too general or title or nothing
information about information but the incomplete. The to do with
the topic and audience may need audience needs more main topic
increase the more information to information to
audience’s understand fully understand
understanding
Use of All graphics are All graphic is related All graphics relate to Graphic do
Graphics related to the topic to the topic and the topic not relate to
and make it easier most make it easier the topic
to understand to understand
Organization Information is Information is Information is The
highly organized organized with titles organized, but titles information
with clear titles and and subheadings and subheading are appears to be
subheadings missing or do not help disorganized
the reader understand
Layout and All information on Most of the Most of the information Much of the
Design the poster is in information on the on the poster is in information on
focus and can be poster is in focus focus and the content the poster is
easily viewed and and the content is easily view unclear or too
identified easily viewed and small
identified

What I have Learned

Activity 5: On the lines below, write about what you ‘ve learned by doing the activities.
Be as specific as possible and use COMPLETE SENTENCES

The Topic was about

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________

It Matters because
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________

I have Learned today

______________________________________________________________________

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 What I Can Do
Activity 6. My Culture, my Heritage

Identify two Philippine cultural heritage under threat- one tangible and one
intangible. For both, identify the threats and their possible sources, and then come
up with a plan of action on how to deal with these threats. Write your output on the
table.

Heritage Threats Plan of action

1.

2.

Activity 6. Genocide Events

This is a research-based activity. List down three notorious genocide events in

history. You may consider past and modern events. Try to describe each event in
terms of the following items.

Event, Time, and Perpetrators Targets Justification for

Country (Leading figures (who are the people Victimization
(When and where who orchestrated victimized in the (articulated
the event the event) event) reasons by the
happened) perpetrators)
1.

2.

3.

Assessment

Multiple Choice: Encircle the letter that corresponds to your chosen answer.
1. It is considered the ‘’essence of society’’ and is the enduring subject of social
science explorations.
A. Artifact
B. The Social
C. The Political
D. Power relation

11
 2. Cultural idiosyncrasies are perfect examples of this concept.
A. Cultural Conflict
B. Cultural Diversity
C. Social Diversity
D. Social Stratification
3. Which of the following shows the existence of xenocentrism culture.?
A. Ana love to eat chocolates made by her mother
B. The president advocates the “Bayan Muna Bago Sarili” program.
C. Laura fear to lose on a Quiz Bee competition that is why she study day and night.
D. Juan loves to by imported goods because he thinks it is better than the
local product.
4. The following are functions of culture except
A. Culture defines situations
B. Culture provides behavior patterns
C. Culture defines attitudes, values, and goals
D. Culture is transmitted among members of society
5. When do we become ethnocentric?
A. When you judge the behavior and beliefs of people who are different from you
B. When you believe that there are primitive cultures, especially if their way
of life is different from yours
C. When you believe that some cultures are backwards if they lack the
technology and consumerism of your own culture
D. All of the above

True or false. Assess whether the statements in column A are true or false. In
column B, write T if the statement if true and write F if the statement is false.

A B

1. It is the habit of each group to take for granted the superiority of its
culture.
2. Culture relativism does not mean that all customs are equally
valuable, nor does it imply that no customs are harmful.
3. Equality and similarity do not necessarily translate to real or
imagined inferiority/ superiority of cultures out there.
4. As an attitude, ethnocentrism promotes greater appreciation of the
cultures that one encounters along the way.
5. Ethnocentrism is a sense of value and community among people who
share a cultural tradition.
6. As a behavior, cultural relativism is a good way to rehearse the norms
and values of society.
7. People everywhere think that their own expectations, opinions, and
customs are right, true, proper, natural, and moral.
8. Culture relativism is a research method as well.
9. Ethnocentrism hinders the understanding or cooperation between
groups.
10. Ethnocentrism encourages the solidarity of a group.

12
 Additional Activities
Activity 7. Self-evaluation Ladder

As a Senior High School student, what do you think are the necessary steps that
you need to do to start or create change if you want to see change in your
community?

4.

3.

2.

1.

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Answer Key

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References

CONTRERAS, ANTONIO P., et al. Understanding Culture, Society and Politics. Quezon City: Phoenix
Publishing House Inc., 2016

ARCANGEL, MELANY C., Understanding Culture, Society and Politics. Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON., 2020

LUDENA, JOREY L., Analyze the Concept, Aspects and Changes in /of Culture and Society.,
Department of Education Region 10- Cagayan de Oro., 2020

image of family

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/548665167103165648/

image of people in the community

https://www.dreamstime.com/illustration/clip-art-ethnic-people.

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 Region IX: Zamboanga Peninsula Hymn – Our Eden Land
Here the trees and flowers bloom Gallant men And Ladies fair
Linger with love and care
Here the breezes gently Blow, Golden beams of sunrise and sunset
Here the birds sing Merrily, Are visions you’ll never forget
Oh! That’s Region IX
The liberty forever Stays,
Hardworking people Abound,
Every valleys and Dale
Here the Badjaos roam the seas Zamboangueños, Tagalogs, Bicolanos,
Cebuanos, Ilocanos, Subanons, Boholanos, Ilongos,
Here the Samals live in peace All of them are proud and true
Region IX our Eden Land
Here the Tausogs thrive so free
With the Yakans in unity Region IX
Our..
Eden...
Land...

The Footprints Prayer Trees by Joyce Kilmer

One night I had a dream. I dreamed I think that I shall never see
that I was walking along the beach
A poem lovely as a tree.
with the LORD.

In the beach, there were two (2) sets

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
of footprints – one belong to me and
Against the earth’s sweet flowing
the other to the LORD.
breast;
Then, later, after a long walk, I
noticed only one set of footprints.
A tree that looks at God all day,
“And I ask the LORD. Why? Why? And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
Why did you leave me when I am sad
and helpless?”
A tree that may in Summer wear
And the LORD replied “My son, My
son, I have never left you. There was A nest of robins in her hair;
only one (1) set of footprints in the
sand, because it was then that I
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
CARRIED YOU!
Who intimately lives with rain.
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Poems are made by fools like me,