UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND Significance of Culture:

POLITICS CM1 1.Culture makes man adapt and integrate himself to his
environment by being resourceful and creative for his
INTRODUCTION TO CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS survival.
IDENTITY is a concept that defines your distinctive 2.Culture establishes norms, beliefs, and other social
characteristic over the course of your life. In your family, behavior.
for instance, your identity could be a son or daughter, a
sister or a brother. In school, your identity could be the 3.Culture conveys verbal and non-verbal
president of a Multiple Intelligence club, a student communications.
athlete, or a member of a particular organization. In the 4.Culture produces technical evolution.
society, you could be a Japanese, Filipino, or an American
who is living in the Philippines. 5.Culture contributes to the overall development of
human person.
Identity is continuously shaped, reshaped, and changed
over the course of your life. For instance, you are a Senior Significance of Society:
High School student who is studying here at National 1.Society is an integral product of human interaction
University but eventually, you would proceed to college and interconnectedness.
to take a course/program or proceed to work, and later
on, you would eventually have a family and become a 2.Society provides knowledge and ideas on the
mother/father of your children. importance of justice, equality, and other widely-
accepted human behavior.
CULTURE is defined as a society’s way of life, which
includes experiences, beliefs, traditions, language, 3.Society is the representation of one’s identity.
knowledge, arts, etc. Culture allows people to
4.Society is the symbol of political independence and an
understand themselves and the people who are living in
avenue for economic interdependence.
other societies and provides them a lens of how their
society “works”. Significance of Politics:
SOCIETY is defined as groups of people who have shared 1.Politics provides knowledge and understanding on the
culture, who are living in a particular geographical works of the government and its components.
location, and who are interacting with one another to
2.Politics inculcates objectives and principles that must
meet the basic needs for survival.
be abided by officials and citizens.
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDYING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND
3.Politics is an avenue to better understand political
POLITICS
concepts such as democracy, human rights, freedom,
To understand man’s way of life, it is vital to have wider justice, etc. and to become aware of what is happening
analyses of relationship of man to his natural around the world.
environment. In order to achieve that, we need to
distinguish, recognize, and appreciate the components
and significance of culture, society, and politics as these
are essential to the total development of a person.
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 THE THREE (3) DISCIPLINES OF STUDYING CULTURE, culture, who are living in a particular geographical
SOCIETY, AND POLITICS location, and who are interacting with one another to
meet the basic needs for survival.
There are three (3) disciplines that provide us a lens in
studying culture, society, and politics. These are the According to E.B. Taylor, society is defined as “a complex
following: whole which encompasses beliefs, practices, values,
attitudes, laws, norms, artifacts, symbols, knowledge,
ANTHROPOLOGY refers to the systematic study of man,
and everything that a person learns and shares as a
his body, his works, his behavior and values, in time and
member of society.”
space (Palispis, 2007). Anthropology came from Greek
words, “Anthropos” and “logos”, which mean “man” ELEMENTS OF SOCIETY
and “study”, respectively. This branch of social sciences
is significant in studying culture, society, and politics as A society becomes a society if it has the following
this provides us comprehension and explanation of characteristics:
human species and their practices in their environment. 1. Social Solidarity;
2.Shared identity and culture;
SOCIOLOGY refers to the systematic study of social life of 3.Common Language;
humans, groups, and society, per se. It analyzes human 4.Population;
interaction, social relationships, social organizations and 5.Definite geographical location; and6.Political, social,
structures, and social processes (Palispis, 2009). and economic organizations.
Sociology came from Greek and Latin words, “logos” and
“socius”, which mean “study” and “companionship”, MAJOR TYPES OF SOCIETY
respectively. This branch of social sciences is significant According to social scientists, there are five (5) types of
in studying culture, society, and politics as this provides societies over the course of time.
us knowledge and understanding on different elements 1.Hunting and Gathering Society
and aspects of society such as gender, race, culture, ▪This society is also known as band-level society.
norms of conduct, social structures, social order, and ▪People were basically small and nomadic.
social change. ▪The society was non-hierarchical since their roles and
responsibilities were distinct according to their age and
POLITICAL SCIENCE refers to the systematic study of sex.
state and its government, relationship of state and ▪Leadership was based according to strength,
people in the community, and relationship of state and trustworthiness, and intelligence.
other states. Politics came from the Greek word, “Polis”,
which means “city-state”. This branch of social sciences 2.Horticultural and Pastoral Society
is significant in studying culture, society, and politics as ▪This society shifted from hunting and gathering lifestyle
this analyzes how people attain and maintain their to a more sedentary lifestyle.
political position; how people encounter conflicts but ▪This society introduced agriculture (food production
soon provide resolutions; and how laws, policies, rules method), cultivation of plants, and domestication of
and regulations, among others, implement in the society. animals.
▪People were not nomads anymore.
UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND
3.Agricultural Society
POLITICS CM2 ▪Food production became more efficient.
UNDERSTANDING CULTURE AND SOCIETY ▪Introduction to a more advanced technology in
agriculture.
SOCIETYAND CULTURE AS ANTHROPOLOGICAL AND ▪In this society, people had permanent settlements.
SOCIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS
4.Industrial Society
As mentioned from the previous course material, ▪Due to technological advancements, agricultural
SOCIETY is defined as groups of people who have shared society transformed into industrial society.

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▪There was a series of inventions of machines that VITAL COMPONENTS OF CULTURE
improved the production of food and that made life 1.Symbols - These convey meanings or represent ideas.
easier. 2.Language - Set of symbols that enables people
▪There was rise of urban centers or cities. Further, arts communicate verbally or non-verbally.
and sciences flourished. 3.Values - These are norms and principles that pertain to
right or wrong.
5.Post-Industrial Society
4.Norms - These are shared rules of conduct that
▪The society transitioned from manufacturing-based
determine the behavior of people in the society.
economy (goods) to a service-based economy (services)
▪Folkways
▪Knowledge becomes the commodity and basis for
▪Mores
invention and innovation. ▪Laws
▪Technological inventions and inventions are keys to
long-lasting growth and development.
ETHNOCENTRISM, XENOCENTRISM, AND CULTURAL
RELATIVISM
These societies were formed through social interaction.
According to Dean Champion and his associates, “the
Through interaction, people were able to form and
range of variations between culture is almost endless
organize series of rules of conduct, norms, customs,
and yet at the same time, cultures ensemble one another
traditions, and institutions and systems which are
in many important ways”. We may consider a good
collectively known as culture.
etiquette in a particular culture but a bad etiquette in
another. In this case, we will delve in to the important
As mentioned from the previous course material,
concepts in perceiving cultural variations.
CULTURE is defined as a society’s way of life, which
includes experiences, beliefs, traditions, language, 1.Ethnocentrism
knowledge, arts, etc.
✓A perception that cultures differ and each culture
defines reality differently.
Culture is the product of human interaction; is a heritage;
and provides socially acceptable patterns of behavior for ✓A perception that “invalidates” other’s culture.
meeting social and biological needs.
2.Xenocentrism
Culture is acquired through socialization and ✓A perception that one’s own culture is inferior than
enculturation. Socialization is the process of forging others.
identity through social interaction, whereas,
Enculturation is the process where the person acquires 3.Cultural Relativism
culture of the society, he/she belongs to. ✓A perception that an individual recognizes,
understands, and accepts that every society has cultural
MAJOR TYPES OF CULTURE differences.
✓No prejudices---no culture is inferior nor superior.
1.Material Culture ✓The culture in one society may be considered immoral
▪Consists of tangible things or objects that are produced, in another and vice versa; therefore, no one has the right
shared, and utilized in the society. to judge other’s culture.
▪Examples: fashion and accessories, food, tools,
paintings, weaponry, among others. ASPECTS OF CULTURE
Since culture is very complex, there are important
2.Non-Material Culture aspects of culture that contribute to the development of
▪Consists of non-tangible things, objects, or elements man’s social interaction (Baleña, et.al., 2016).
that influence the behavior and action of people in the
society. Culture is:
▪Examples: superstitious beliefs, language, folklores, 1.Dynamic, flexible, and adaptive
norms, among others. 2.Shared and contested
3.Learned through socialization and enculturation
4.Patterned social interactions
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UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND 4.Mass Media
✓This includes forms of communication such as books,
POLITICS CM3 magazines, articles, radio, television, other print
BECOMING A MEMBER OF SOCIETY materials, and social media.
✓The source of information regarding events and
SOCIALIZATION developments in the society and the source of providing
entertainment.
✓Socialization refers to the lifelong process of social
interaction through which people acquire their identities 5.Religion and State
and necessary skills in the society (Atienza, et.al. 2016). ✓Ultimate source of authority
This prepares and trains the person to think, feel, and act ✓Religion influences the person’s views, legitimizes
within one’s society. As the person moves from one stage accepted social behavior and practices, and provides
to another, he/she may not or may discard the learnings stability and social change.
he/she acquires and learn new patterns of behavior ✓State implements laws and other regulations that
along the way. reinforce appropriate behavior and help form values and
attitudes of citizens.
✓Socialization is an integral part of human development
as this enables a person to become more knowledgeable CONFORMITY AND DEVIANCE
and aware of his/her surroundings, learn his/her
society’s culture, and analyze and evaluate the CONFORMITY
appropriateness in the society. For an individual to continue his/her role and function in
the society, he/she should conform to the generally-
AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION - refers to social groups and accepted behavior within the society.
organizations, people, and institutions that teach
individuals essential knowledge and skills and integrate Conformity refers to attempting to change his/her
them as accepted members of the society. behavior to adapt to the accepted and defined behavior
of the society he/she is in.
1.Family
✓The primary agent of socialization TYPES OF CONFORMITY
✓Vital for the early care and development of child 1.Compliance
✓Family becomes an avenue for social engagement and ✓An individual accepts social pressure but may privately
political socialization disagree with it. The person is motivated by the desire to
gain rewards and avoid punishment.
2.School
✓The institution that has a critical and active role in 2.Identification
socialization through academic and social activities. ✓An individual adopts a certain behavior for him/her to
✓The institution that teaches students important values, establish a satisfying relationship with other people.
such as cooperation, camaraderie, innovation,
competitiveness, punctuality, respect for authority, etc. 3.Internalization or Acceptance
✓The institution that instills and values self ✓An individual accepts public compliance and internal
improvement and hard work acceptance of the norms and standards imposed by the
✓An avenue for political socialization group.

3. Peer Groups DEVIANCE

✓People who have shared commonalities such as An individual who does not conform to the accepted
interests, characteristics, age, and social background behavior, norms, and standards of society would mean
✓reinforce acceptable behaviors being introduced by the deviance. Social Deviance refers to behavior that elicits
family and school and allow a certain degree of a strong negative reaction from group members and
independence from family and certain figures of involves actions that violate socially-accepted norms and
authority. standards (Atienza, et.al, 2016).

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Take note: As a UCSP student, bear in mind that what HUMAN DIGNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
may be considered norms and standards in a particular
society and culture may be considered deviant in others. Human Dignity refers to the idea that a person has the
innate right to be valued, respected, and treated
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF DEVIANCE (Atienza, et.al., 2016).

1.STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONALIST THEORY Human Rights refer to natural rights of all individuals

▪According to Emile Durkheim, deviance can serve a regardless of their ethnicity, age, religion, sex, race, and
number of functions for the society: language.
- Responding to deviance clarifies moral
boundaries and promotes social unity Human Rights have the following characteristics:
- Deviance encourages social change 1.Universal
2.Fundamental
2.STRUCTURAL STRAIN THEORY 3.Indivisible
▪The tensions between socially-approved goals and an 4.Absolute
individual’s ability to meet the goals will lead to deviance.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a
3.LABELLING THEORY legal instrument that upholds the recognition of human
▪This theory considers deviance as a socially-constructed rights. The said instrument was drafted by the United
phenomenon influenced largely by interpersonal Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1948.
relationships among members of the society.
UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND
4.CONFLICT THEORY
▪This theory considers deviance as a reflection of
POLITICS CM4
inequalities in the society. HOW IS A SOCIETY ORGANIZED?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
SOCIAL CONTROL AND SANCTIONS
❖ How do you interact with the people around you?
Social Control refers to systematic means and practices ❖ Who are your primary groups and secondary
groups?
to maintain and stabilize norms and standards, rules and
laws; regulate conflicts; and discourage deviant behavior ❖ How are you influenced by a certain group?
(Atienza, et.al. 2016).
SOCIAL GROUP
Sanction refers to the means of social control to address You share certain similarities with your family, friends,
conflicts and violations of socially-accepted behavior. classmates, and other individuals who are living in the
society you are in. These similarities could be the initial
2 Types of Sanctions basis for individuals to form a group and interact with
one another, resulting in establishing relationships; and
1.Formal Sanctions this is what we call SOCIAL GROUP.
✓Sanctions that are provided for by laws and other
regulations in society. Social Group is a collection of individuals who have
relations and interactions with one another that make
2.Informal Sanctions them interdependent to some degree. This
✓Sanctions that are imposed by smaller societies, interdependence is vital for members of the society as
communities, or groups of people. this enables them to pursue mutual goals and benefits.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A GROUP

✓Sanctions that are arbitrarily agreed upon by the
1. Group shall be two or more people.
members of the group or society.
2. There must be interaction within the group.
3. Members of the group could be together
physically or virtually.

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TYPES OF SOCIAL GROUPS NETWORKS
Network refers to the interconnections and
PRIMARY GROUP interrelationships among social actors/groups and large
Primary group is characterized as small and intimate institutions to which they all belong to. Examples are
face-to-face and emotion-based interactions over a social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. to
period of time. Communication is profound and strong, which an individual interconnect with other people from
and personal satisfaction is highly important. different parts of the world.
Primary groups are the first groups whom an individual
encounter. These groups establish and influence an UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND
individual’s identity, beliefs, values, and aspirations.
Examples of Primary groups are family, close friends,
POLITICS CM5
work-related peers, and close churchmates. LOOKING BACK AT HUMAN BIOCULTURAL AND SOCIAL
EVOLUTION
SECONDARY GROUP
Secondary group is characterized as large and less FOCUS QUESTIONS
intimate face-to-face and emotion-based interactions for ❖ How do societies affect the cultural development of
a limited time. Communication is not deep; interaction is humans?
not that much significant. Interaction is merely a means ❖ How does society maintain and sustain itself across
to achieve an individual’s objectives. Examples of generations?
Secondary groups are employer- employee relationship,
❖ Why are fossils and artifacts
professional relationships, political organizations, and
important in the study of biological and cultural
religious organizations.
evolution?
GROUPS ACCORDING TO SENSE OF BELONGINGNESS
EVOLUTION
Social Scientists, Anthropologists, and Sociologists delve
IN-GROUP and OUT-GROUP
into the origin and nature of society. They tend to ask
In-group is a group to which an individual belongs to and
questions such as, “how do biological factors and cultural
feels sense of belongingness. Members devise ways to
behavior affect and influence human evolution?”, “What
distinguish themselves from non-members. This may
is the relationship between biological factors and cultural
come in a form of group name, group symbol, group
behavior?” “How do society and the established
code, etc. Further, they share commonalities such as
institutions affect human interaction?”. It has been said
interests, experiences, attitudes, among others.
that societies have evolved as human beings acquire
Examples are members who are part of
knowledge and skills and adapt to their environment.
sorority/fraternity, members of student body, and
members of a specific organization.
Evolution is a natural process of biological changes
occurring in a population across generations. It helps us
Out-group is a group to which an individual does not
identify and analyze man’s physiological development
belong to and does not feel sense of belongingness, thus,
which is important in his subsistence (Banaag, 2012).
he/she may feel hostility or sense of competitiveness.
More so, the evolution of man became an important
REFERENCE GROUP
concern in the emergence of different societies. Further,
Reference group is a group that looks up to by an
all of the human’s social drives developed long before he
individual. This group serves as the “role model” and has
developed intellectually. They are, therefore, instinctive;
a significant influence on individual’s character. Further,
Such instinct as mother-love, compassion, cooperation,
an individual patterns his/her life due to his/her
curiosity, inventiveness, and competitiveness are ancient
reference group. Example is a person who admires and
and embedded in the humans. These are all necessary for
loves Kim Seok-Jin of BTS. The person tends to follow and
humans to survive in the community they live.
emulate the character of Jin.

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TYPES OF EVOLUTION CULTURAL EVOLUTION THE HOMO SAPIENS
▪ known as Cro-Magnon
Cultural Evolution is the process of development which ▪ lived in the last Ice age of Europe 40,000 to
occurs when human beings adapt themselves with their 10,000 years ago.
surroundings and be able to survive within the ▪ They were the first to produce art in cave
environment. paintings and crafting decorated tools and accessories.

SIMPLE DIFFERENTIATION OF THE CULTURAL TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION

EVOLUTION People in the society create various tools and equipment
for their daily life, such as domesticating animals,
PALEOLITHIC AGE planting, trading, among others. As people interacted
• Unpolished stone implements; and live with one another, they started to reciprocate
• Hunting and gathering; and ideas, beliefs, knowledge, practices, and material
• Nomadic way of living. possessions, leading to forge culture.

NEOLITHIC AGE
• Polished stone tools;
• Domestication of plants and animals; and
• Living in permanent places.

BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION
Biological Evolution refers to a process wherein
organisms undergo various changes (genetic and
physical) that pave the way for biological diversity.

EVOLUTION OF MAN HOMINIDS

▪ A member of the family Hominidae

▪ One species could evolve into another species (Ember,
2002).

THE HOMO HABILIS

▪ “Handy man”
▪ First to make stone tools
▪ Lived about 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago
scavenging for food.

THE HOMO ERECTUS

▪ “Upright man”
▪ Lived 1.89 to 143,000 years ago
▪ They were the first hunters with
improvised tools such as axes and knives, and were the
first to produce fire.

THE HOMO SAPIENS

▪ “Wise man”
▪ Appeared form 200,000 years ago
▪ The present human race belongs to this
Species

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