SOCIOLOGICAL AND

ANTHROPOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVE
How individuals see themselves is based on their interaction with
the society (George Herbert Mead).

The anthropological and sociological perspectives look into the

external world, particularly culture and society as factors
influencing self-identity.
SOCIOLOGY
 From Latin socius “group/partners” and Greek logos “study”

 Defined simply as the study of society.

 Scientific study of patterns of human interactions that deals with the study of

group life (Joseph Fichter).

 It inquires how groups are formed.

 It determines how groups affect the individual and vice versa.

 The sociological perspective involves recognizing and
evaluating the effects of social relationships and social
structures and forces, considering the present day in
historical context and takes for granted that society is
socially constructed and thus changeable. It is a perspective
that fosters critical thinking, the posing of critical
questions, and the pursuit of solutions.
 THE SELF IN SOCIOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVE

• One learns about the perception of others and the modern society, both of
which shape one’s self-identity.

• Social interactions form a huge part of how one establishes an identity. The
self is a two-way feedback. Consider this example, when you ask other
people their opinions on, let’s say, your clothes, the feedback may not even
be perceived accurately as you, yourself already created those people’s
perception of you in your head.
 American sociologist Charles Horton Cooley wrote in his essay

“The Looking-Glass Self” that individuals see themselves through their

interaction with others.

 As for George Herbert Mead (Mead & Morris, 1935), “the self is social”.

Members of the society practice behaviours that the society deems proper to do.

 These expectations of what should and what should not be done in social interactions are called

norms.
FOUR TYPES OF NORMS:

 Folkways (day-to-day behaviours that people show in social situations)

 Mores (norms that pertain to morality)

 Taboos (engaging in such behaviours may elicit extreme negative reactions

from others in society)

 Laws (written expectations on how one should behave)
ANTHROPOLOGY
 From Greek Anthropos “man” and logos “study”

 The study of human races, origins, societies, and cultures

 One learns about how culture, which continues to evolve, contributes to the

development of self-identity.
Adapting to social environments increases chances of human
survival. This evolutionary process involves how one’s
identity is established; humans evolve in order to survive. The
elements of culture are efficient tools for harmonious social
interactions and coexistence.
THE SELF IN THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVE

• One learns about how culture, which continues to evolve, contributes to the
development of self-identity.

• The self serves as a reflection of a long process of history. The way people think,
feel, and act is a remnant transmitted from generation to generation. Such
transmission occurs through exposure to the culture.
CULTURE
 Culture refers to a system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that are
transmitted from generation to generation through learning and that members of society use to
cope with their world and with one another (Bates and Plog, 1990). It is learned, shared,
symbolic, integrated, and adaptive (Taylor, 1871).
 In a process called enculturation, one learns about culture from birth and makes use of it in
interacting with others.
 Cultural symbols. They may be verbal or nonverbal behaviours, sounds, objects, or images. (ex.
The image of Sto. Nino is perceived as a symbol of hope and providence).
 Culture is a constantly evolving process. It adapts to the social environment pressures through
time and ensures its transmission to succeeding generations. The social sanctions (a
consideration, principle, or influence that impels to moral action or determines the moral
judgement) in a culture are a way to ensure that the cultural values are being practiced. (ex.
When one does not follow a cultural value or practice, the ones who follow it frown upon that
person and this sanction is a way for that culture to be preserved as one will most likely not
want to be omitted from the group).
 One learns from culture how to feel, think, and act. Because culture is efficiently transmitted
through interaction with groups, one’s own identity is largely connected to the group that shares
the same culture.
SOCIOLOGY AND
ANTHROPOLOGY