MODULE 3

ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELF

Introduction

The Origin of Self explores the role that selfhood plays in defining human society.
It considers the genetic and cultural origins of self, the role that self plays in
socialization and language, and the types of self we generate in our individual journeys
to and through adulthood. Edwardes argues that other awareness is a relatively early
evolutionary development, present throughout the primate clade and perhaps beyond,
but self-awareness is a product of the sharing of social models, something only humans
appear to do. The self of whom we are aware is not something innate within us, it is a
model of our self-produced as a response to the models offered to us by other people.
Edwardes proposes that human construction of selfhood involves seven different types
of self. All but one of them are internally generated models, and the only non- model,
the actual self, is completely hidden from conscious awareness. We rely on others to tell
us about our self, and even to let us know we are a self.

Learning Outcomes

After the learning session, the students are able to:

1. increase awareness of the various dimensions of anthropology and
its influence on self-concept;
2. understand how each culture develop a unique cultural lens;
3. examine their own cultural identity from a global perspective; and
4. demonstrate critical and reflective thought in analyzing how culture
influences our beliefs and behavior through an essay.

Learning Content

In anthropology, the self-came to be understood as a process that orchestrates an

individual's personal experience following which s/he becomes self-aware and self-
reflective about her or his place in society.

This chapter seeks to explore the role selfhood plays in defining human society,
and each human individual in that society. It considers the genetic and cultural origins
of self, the role that self plays in socialization and language, and the types of self we
generate in our individual journeys to and through adulthood.

Anthropology

● The study of human societies and cultures and their development

● it is concerned with how cultural and biological processes interact to shape
human experience
Self as Embedded in Culture
Self-concept refers to all understanding and knowledge of oneself. The
components of self-concepts include: psychological, physical and social attitudes, ideas
and beliefs that one has. The most influence in terms of self-concept is family’s history,
basically referring to the culture one has been brought up in, and the experiences he or
she has undergone.

Various studies have been carried out concerning the impact culture may have
towards self-concept. One such study was carried out by Erdman (2006) using
American and Chinese students, requesting them to recall memories and events of their
early years of childhood. In his study, Erdman found out that early childhood memories
were a big part of self-concept. The findings demonstrated that different cultural
memories are brought about by early childhood years and persist into adulthood. The
differences are formed both in the extended cultural contexts which defines the meaning
of the self and the immediate family environment.

In conclusion, culture has such a greater influence on an individual’s life

contributing majorly to the self-concept of an individual. The influence might either be
negative or positive depending on the type of culture that one has been brought up in. It
is important that individuals study and appreciate their culture and its contribution in
shaping their individual personalities.

Culture is the set of unwritten norms of conduct that guide the behavior of a group

Edward Taylor- defined the culture that it is a complex whole which includes
knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, customs, and any other capabilities and habits
acquired by man.

Material and Non-material Culture

Sociologists describe two interrelated aspects of human culture: the physical

objects of the culture and the ideas associated with these objects.

Material culture refers to the physical objects, resources, and spaces that people
use to define their culture. These include homes, neighborhoods, cities, schools,
churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, offices, factories and plants, tools, means of
production, goods and products, stores, and so forth. All of these physical aspects of a
culture help to define its members' behaviors and perceptions. For example, technology
is a vital aspect of material culture in today's Filipino Society. Students in highly
urbanized cities must learn to use computers to survive in college and business, in
contrast to young adults in the ethnic societies who must learn to build weapons and
hunt.

Non‐material culture refers to the nonphysical ideas that people have about their
culture, including beliefs, values, rules, norms, morals, language, organizations, and
institutions. For instance, the non‐material cultural concept of religion consists of a set
of ideas and beliefs about God, worship, morals, and ethics. These beliefs, then,
determine how the culture responds to its religious topics, issues, and events.

When considering non‐material culture, sociologists refer to several processes

that a culture uses to shape its members' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Four of the
most important of these are symbols, language, values, and norms.

Two Anthropological Perspectives of the Self

1. Egocentric- a concept of the self where the self is seen as an autonomous and
distinct individual.
2. Socio-centric- according to this view, there is no intrinsic self that can possess
enduring qualities.

Three-Phased Rite of Passage by Arnold Van Gennep

1. Separation Phase- in this phase, people detach from their former identity to
another
2. Liminality Phase- in this phase, a person transitions from one identity to another
3. Incorporation Phase- in this phase, the change in one's status is officially
incorporated

Anthony Wallace and Raymond Fogelson- coined the term "identity struggles"

Identity Struggles- a term coined by Wallace and Fogelson to characterize interaction

in which there is a discrepancy between the identity a person claims to possess and the
identity attributed to that person by other.

Self-identification- in order to attain this, individuals have to overcome many

obstacles

Katherine Ewing- formulated the "Illusion of Wholeness"

Illusion of Wholeness- implies that the cohesiveness and continuity of self are only
illusory

Cultural Differences- exists when groups of people assign different meanings to

different life events and things

Key Terms

Social Identities- people construct their self-identity from the similarities and
differences in characteristics among individuals.
Example: You have categorized yourself as a student, the chances are you will adopt
the identity of a student and begin to act in the ways you believe students act (and
conform to the norms of the group).
Family Membership- the most significant feature to determine a person's social
identity.
Example: A person’s social identity can be determined based on the influence of his/her
family background (history, status, traits, or even resources)

Language- viewed as an essential for the maintenance of group identity.

Example: As people become members of a social group and learn to share that group's
identity, they need to adapt to the group’s language.

Religious Affiliation- an important marker for group identity in a given society.

Example: In a predominantly Catholic country, the majority of Filipinos qualify
themselves as members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Name- an important device to individualize a person and legitimize him or her as a

member of a social group.
Example: When you were born, you were given a name documented through a birth
certificate to legalize your birth.

Teaching and Learning Activities

I. Multiple Choice

1. It implies that the cohesiveness and continuity of self are only illusory
A. Separation Phase
B. Illusion of Wholeness
C. Identity Toolbox
D. Incorporation Phase
2. People construct their __________ from the similarities and differences in
characteristics among individuals
A. Social Identities
B. Separation Phase
C. Sociocentric
D. Identity Toolbox
3. It considers human experience as interplay of " nature"
A. Incorporation Phase
B. Anthropology
C. Language
D. Separation Phase
 4. They coined the term "identity struggles"
A. Max Weber and Jean Piaget
B. Anna Ketterling and Nancy Chodrow
C. Anthony Wallace and Raymond Fogelson
D. Contemporary Anthropologists
5. It is the important marker for group identity in other societies
A. Liminality Phase
B. Religious Affiliation
C. Family Membership
D. Clifford Geertz

II.True/False. Write True if the statement is correct, false if the statement is

incorrect.

1. Culture greatly affects the attitudes of an individual

2. Name is an important device to individualize a person and legitimize
him or her as a member of a social group.
3. Identity struggle is a term coined by Wallace and Fogelson to
characterize interaction in which there is a discrepancy between the
identity a person claims to possess and the identity attributed to that
person by others
4. Contemporary Anthropologists suggested that individuals must
internalize divergent cultural models in order to maintain a relatively
stable and coherent self
5. Egocentric Self Concept views the self as an autonomous and distinct
individual.

Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted

Asynchronous and Synchronous

❖ For the written activity, you may answer it through google classroom under
classwork section
❖ Modular Distance Learning (MDL)
❖ Online Distance Learning (ODL) (click the link provided in the references to read
more about the topic)

Assessment Task
 1. How is the self understood in the anthropological perspective?
2. Discuss the concept of the self as to how it is shaped by culture.

Rubric

Criteria
Thought Content 10pts
Organization 10pts
Grammar 10pts
Total 30pts

References

Martin, E. (2014). The Origins of Self

Brian, M. (2017). Anthropology of the Self

Anthropological Perspective of the Self UTS retrieved from

https://quizlet.com/432855497/anthropological-perspective-of-the-self-uts-flash-
cards/

Warder, A. (1996) Consumption identity formation and uncertainty sociology.

Manchester: Manchester University Press retrieved from
https://www.paypervids.com/influence-culture-self-concept/

Material and Non-Material Culture retrieved from https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-

guides/sociology/culture-and-societies/material-and-nonmaterial-culture