Cultural and Society as

Anthropological and
Sociological Concepts

Topic #2
Key Points:
Anthropology.
Anthropology is the analysis of how humans evolved as well as how individuals
behave, adapt, interact, and socialize in various settings

Culture.
Culture is a set of people’s way of life. It entails symbols, languages, ideals, and standards

Society.
Society is a community or a set of people joined together and engaged with one
another over time.

Sociology.
Sociology is defined as the research of human societies and how they communicate.
Defining Culture and Society
According to Palispis, Epitacio S. (2007), culture
is a composite or multifarious areas that
compromise beliefs, practices, values, attitudes,
laws, norms, artifacts, symbols, knowledge, and
everything that a person learns and shares as a
member of society.
Types of Culture
 1
Material
Culture
These are the practical objects that people use to
identify their civilization.
Examples:

Architectural Fashion and

Technological Tools Food Structures Accessories

Money
 Non-
Material
Culture
These are the notions people have about their culture
that are not physical or tangible.
2
Examples:

Ideas Religion

Gestures

Behavior Language and

Symbols
Elements
of Culture
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
Knowledge
It refers to any information
received and perceived to be
true.
Beliefs
The perception of accepted
reality. Reality refers to the
existence of things whether
material or non-material.
Social Norms
These are established
expectations of society as to
how a person is supposed to
act depending on the
requirements of the time,
place, or situation.
Different forms of Social Norms:
Folkways Values
The patterns of repetitive Anything held to be
behavior which becomes relatively worthy,
habitual and important,
conventional part of desirable, or
living. valuable.

Mores Technology
The set of ethical The practical application
standards and moral of knowledge in
obligations as of reason
that distinguishes human converting raw materials
acts as right or wrong or into finished products.
good from bad.
Aspects of Culture
Since culture is very complex, there are important aspects of culture that contribute to
the development of man’s social interaction.

 Dynamic, flexible, and adaptive

 Shared and contested
 Learned through socialization and enculturation
 Patterned social interactions
 Integrated and at times unstable
 Transmitted through socialization 900 AD
- 1565
 Requires language and other forms of communication
Ethnocentrism and
Material Culture
There are two important perceptions on cultural
variability namely ethnocentrism and cultural
relativism.
Ethnocentrism and Material Culture

Ethnocentrism Material
It is a perception that arises from Culture
The attempt to judge behavior
the fact that cultures differ and each according to its cultural context.
culture defines reality differently.