Significance of Cultural, Social,

Political, and
Economic Symbols and
Practices

WEEK 4 MODULE 4
UCSP

BY: MR. JOVI PARANI

Cultural, Social, Political and
Economic Symbols and Practices
Symbol is an object, word, or action that stands for something else,
without natural relationship, that is culturally defined. Symbols such
as gestures, signs, objects, signals, and words, help people
understand the world. Symbols provide clues to understanding
experiences. They relay recognizable meanings that are shared by
societies. Symbolism, on the other hand, is when something
represents abstract ideas or concepts; it assigns names,
denominations, and defines relations between various elements
(actors, actions, goals, means, objects, values, etc.) articulated within
a narrative.
Functions
of Symbols Social symbols are used to transfer culture, ideologies, or beliefs from group

and to another group of people.

Symbolis Symbols are also used to preserve traditions or beliefs of a certain group of people.

m All symbols contain the “face” and “hidden” values, the hidden value, in a
functional perspective, holds greater meaning and importance than the face value.

Symbols and symbolism have been used to create movements, spread

ideas, and share advocacies that surpasses time and distance.
 Types of Symbols
Cultural Symbols – manifestation that signifies ideology of
a particular culture that has meaning within that culture.
Social symbols – relating to human societies and its
modes of organization (i.e., social classes, social problems,
social issues, etc.)
Political symbols – used to represent a political
standpoint; seen in various media and forms such as
banners, flag, motto, etc.
Economic symbols – used in production, distribution, and
consumption of goods and services like currency, market,
Cultural Practices are the manifestation
labor, demands of and
a culture
otheror economic
sub- activities.
culture, especially concerning the traditional and customary
practices of a particular ethnic or other cultural group. Examples:
religious and spiritual, medical treatment, forms of artistic
 Examples of Cultural
Practices in the Philippines

Traditional Medical Practices- belief in “albularyo”, herbal

medicines, alternative
medicines, and other home remedies.
Religious/ Spiritual Practices – Obando Festival in Bulacan
for fertility, Panaad sa Camiguin as act of penance and
pilgrim. Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila, etc.
Culinary Practices- Rice 3 meals a day, Adobo, Sinigang,
street foods, Balut, rice cakes, etc. Child- rearing Practices-
respectful (used of the words mano, po at opo ), obedience to
parents and elders, no talking back to elders, removing
footwear before entering the house, family mealtime,
ninong/ninang, ate/kuya, punishment using belt/tsinelas.
 POLITICAL
SYMBOL AND
PRACTICES
The artifacts or objectifications of different political
meanings especially related to power. Political symbols are
usually used to embody an ideology, an advocacy, or a
group of people with same principles. Political practices are
common things that are done within a state or country. It
is related to the practices done in the administration,
distribution and attainment of power, bureaucratic
composition, etc.

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POLITICAL PRACTICES IN THE PHILIPPINES
POLITICAL
01 DYNASTY
it is the concentration,
consolidation or perpetuation
of public office and political
power by persons related to
one another.
CHURCH
03 INFLUENCE
The church always intervene
to government policies like
divorce and reproductive
health
PALAKASAN
02
SYSTEM
refers to a system of getting an
advantage when having or knowing
someone powerful from the office that
can recommend you. This usually
CELEBRITIES
happens within government offices.
04 TURN
POLITICIANS
Celebrities or shobiz personalities
trying their luck in politics. Examples
are; ERAP, Tito Sotto and many more.
 ECONOMIC SYMBOL
This represents
economic standpoint. It EXAMPLES
can be seen in various New $ New Zealand
Zealand dollar
media such as Stock
Philippines ₱ Philippine peso
Exchange, Money, and
South ₩ South Korean
Currency, Gold and Korea won
Petroleum, Life Thailand ฿ Thai baht

Insurance, Banking, etc.

PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC
PRACTICES
In terms of savings, one of the traditional way of
saving money in Filipino is using “alkansya”. It is where
they Filipino use bamboo as a vault to their money until
it becomes full and ready to be withdrawn by its owner.
Another way of economic practice of Filipino is
“paluwagan”. It is a group savings where group of people
agrees to give money to a money manager who is also
part of this group and manages the money. The money
will cycle throughout the group.
 CONTEXT,
CONTENT
PROCESS and
CONSEQUENCES
of
SOCIALIZATION
WEEK 5 MODULE 5
Biñan City Senior High School San Antonio Campus | By: MR. JOVI V. PARANI
 Socialization refers to the coaching of
novices to end up contributors of a current crew
and to think, feel, and act in approaches the
team considers appropriate. Socialization is a
central process in social life. Its importance has
been noted by sociologists for a long time, but
their image of it has shifted over the last

Socialization hundred years.

Socialization is learning on how our society
and specific communities, or groups works so
we can be a part of them. It’s a process of
working together in developing responsibility in
our community. Individual learns to conform to
the norms and values in a group and develops
his/her own self by learning and knowing about
his/her own self from the others.
Socialization focuses on the following.
1. Acquisition of Knowledge
2. Language
3. Values
 TYPES OF
PRIMARY
SOCIALIZATION
SOCIALIZATIO
SECONDARY
SOCIALIZATIO
ANTICIPATORY
SOCIALIZATIO
occurs early in aNchild’s lifestyle and N a person
occurs when AdolescenceN is initiated
is primarily due to have an impact learns on appropriate between the ages of childhood
directly from the family and close behavior to be displayed and adulthood. During this
friends. Through fundamental within a smaller group stage, children start to
socialization, a baby learns basic which still part of a larger participate in Anticipatory
societal norms and customs. society. Example joining a Socialization. They also learn
Example Mano or pagmamano as an club or organization in about their group culture and
"honoring-gesture" to the elders. college, getting employed what they should expect in the
DEVELOPMEN in a new workplace. future.
TAL RE -
SOCIALIZATIO
This process of socialization occurs during SOCIALIZATION
When an individual moves to a new group, he
the early years of an individual's life. It has to learn the new values and beliefs of the
N
develops his skills and attitudes for the new group. This process of re-socialization
future and prepares him for the various roles
helps him to get used to the new ways of life.
and responsibilities that he will assume as
THREE PARTS OF
SOCIALIZATION
Context- denotes Content and Process- the Results and Outcomes -
culture, language, work or activity in socialization. refers to what happens
social structures, and Content refers to the details of
what passed from a member to a
to an individual after
the individual’s rank
within them. It new member. While process being exposed to a
means the interactions and ways particular contents and
includes the history these new norms, values and
and roles played by the customs are thought to a novice.
process.
people and institutions
in the past.

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 CONTEXT OF SOCIALZIATION

Biological Context- Sociobiologist suggest that

some human capacities may be "wired into" our
biological makeup. Some hormones (i.e.
vasopressin and oxytocin) encourage human to
interact and socialize with other people.
 
Psychological Context- composed of (1) emotional
states and unconsciousness
(2) cognitive theories of development (3) social
and historical events (4) social position as part
of the context
 Socialization is also known as enculturation.
Enculturation occurs when cultural knowledge is passed
on to the next bearer which will perpetuate and ensure
the continuance of their traditions and practices
(Santarita and Madrid, 2016).
For an individual to become a member of a society
he/she must go through these two processes:
socialization / enculturation. For instance, act of courtesy
and

hospitality of Filipinos are acquired through socialization

because these two learned with their nearest group like
family and friends. On the other hand, enculturation
takes place when one culture or tradition is adopted.
 Overall enculturation and socialization process results to:
Identity formation – An individual’s identity is formed through his
interaction with other people. A person’s socialization with individuals or groups
allows him or her to imbibe certain characteristics and interests that contribute
to his/her identity. (Idea derived from Newman, 2012). For example, the
centuries of Philippine Chinese expose to Filipino culture made them imbibe
facets of Filipino character in the same way Filipinos learned to love Chinese
culture like food (e.g. preference for noodle-based cuisine like pancit).
Norms and values – On the other hand, norms are culturally determined
rules that guide people regarding what is right, wrong, proper, or improper.
Norms create predictability in daily affairs and interactions, making it easier to
live with other members of society (Newman, 2012). These norms are
fundamental to the establishment of social order in any society (Newman, 2012).
Status – position that an individual can occupy in society (Newman, 2012). It
is not ranked position, but simply a label that implies certain roles that must be
performed.
 2 Types of Status
Achieved status is one that a person has
earned or chosen based on his/her abilities
and hard work. This is usually signified by a
certain profession, such as a professional
athlete.
Ascribed status is not earned, and it is not
something that people have control over. For
instance, it can be ascribed to a person's race
or sex. Also, it is not usually a choice in most
HOW SOCIETY
is ORGANIZED
Week 6 Module 6
UCSP

By: Mr. Jovi Parani

CONFORMITY
Conformity refers to behaviour in accordance with socially
accepted conventions or standards. Deviance, on the other
hand, describes an action or behaviour that violates social
norms.
What is Social Group?
●A social group is two or more people who identify with and engage with each other
(Macionis 2012). As an individual, you may be a member of a religious group, an ethnic
group, a working colleague group, a college class, a sports team, and so on. These are also
referred to as social groups.
●A social group is distinct from an aggregate, which consists of people who are
temporarily grouped together in an area, perhaps even performing the same things, but do
not consider themselves to be members of the same group. For example, being in a busy
shop or waiting in line for a movie does not make you feel like you belong with the people
doing the same thing. A category and a group are not the same thing. You may share
comparable qualities, such as age or height, yet you may not interact or experience a feeling
of belonging if you are in the same category as someone.
Types of Groups according to Influence
● Primary and Secondary Groups
●The difference between primary and secondary groups lies in the kinds of relationships their members have
with one another.
●Primary groups involve interaction among members who have an emotional investment or attachment in one
another and a situation, who know one another
●
intimately and interact as total individuals rather than through specialized roles. They are smaller in number and
occur over a long time. Examples of relationships under the primary group are between friends, husband and wife,
parent and child, and teacher and pupil. On the other hand, sample groups under primary groups include playgroup,
family, village/neighborhood, and work team.
●Secondary groups usually have specific goals, are formally organized, and are impersonal. They tend to be
larger than the primary group, and its members do not necessarily interact with all other members. Examples of
relationships under the secondary group are between clerk and customer, announcer and listener, performer and
spectator, and officer and subordinate. On the other hand, sample groups under the second group include nation,
clerical hierarchy, professional association, and corporation.
Reference Groups
●A reference group is a group or social category that an individual uses to help
define beliefs, attitudes, and values and to guide behaviour. It is often a category we
identify with, rather than a specific group we belong to. In addition, they provide a
comparison against which people measure themselves and others.
● Positive reference groups are composed of people we want to emulate.
● Negative reference groups, on the other hand, provide a model we do not wish to
follow.

Types of Reference Groups

●A normative reference group influences your norms, attitudes, and
values through direct interaction.
●A comparative reference group is a group of individuals whom you
compare yourself against and may strive to be like.
 Social Network
● A social network is a sociological concept that refers to the social relationships that
exist between network parts and individuals. In an organization, network elements
can include social groups or teams, organizational units, or entire organizations.

Social Network in Practice

● All our functions at work and in private take place in some social networks. Every
social network is about relations that include social interaction and social
communication. We can easily describe, map, and analyze social networks through
social network analysis and sociometry. The basic types of social networks in the
organization are formal organizational structure, and informal organizational
structure. The social network in the organization forms an informal organizational
structure. Its influence on the events and decision-making in the organization is
greater in less authoritative management styles and types of the organizations. Often
in practice, the informal organizational structure is more influential on what is
happening in the organization than the formal organizational structure.