Understan
ding
CULTURE,
SOCIETY
and
Ma. Lourdes
Mendoza
Heizl H.
POLITICS
UNDERSTANDING CULTURE,
SOCIETY AND POLITICS
This subject uses insights from Anthropology,
Political Science, and Sociology to develop
students’ awareness of cultural, social and
political dynamics, and sensitivity to cultural
diversity; provide them with an understanding
of how culture, human agency, society and
politics work; and engage them in the
examination of the country’s current human
development goals.
◦SOCIAL SCIENCES
The Social Sciences are interconnected
and interrelated disciplines that study
human beings as a “social animal”.
And because the disciplines are
interconnected and interrelated, what
sets each discipline apart is the
specialization or focus of study.
CULTURE
We were presented with two contrasting
stories
one story shows an unfortunate legal battle
due to differences in ways of using utensils;
the other story shows the inspiring way
how other people face challenges.
CULTURE
When we talk about people’s ways of doing
things, we can also think of it as “ways of life”.
This “way of life” is referred to as culture.
Edward B. Tylor defined culture as, “that
complex whole which includes knowledge,
belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other
capabilities and habits acquired by man as a
member of society (Street 1998)."
CULTURE
Culture is man’s way of adapting to,
manipulating, and interacting with his
physical and social environment.
SOCIAL STRUCTURES
Social structures are ways of interacting
with other people.
Social structures is the stable pattern of
social relationships existing in a
particular society or group.
Social structures or structures govern
how we live and interact with each other
in a given society (Form 1999).
SOCIAL STRUCTURES
Social structures include family, peers,
school, religion, economy, mass media,
law, class, education, market, gov’t and
others.
Anthropology
and Sociology
Sister Discipline
9
ANTHROPOLOGY
Anthropology comes from the two
Greek words:
Anthropos meaning “human”, and
logos meaning “study” or “inquiry”.
Anthropology is the study of humans,
with a special emphasis on human
biological evolution as a species and
cultural practices.
SOCIOLOGY
Sociology is made up of the Greek
words:
Socius meaning “companion” or
“friend”
Logos meaning “study” or “inquiry”.
Sociology deals with the relationships
and interactions of people within
society.
POLITICAL
SCIENCE
12
POLITICS
Culture and social structures don’t
simply exist in a neutral and peaceful
environment.
Let’s look into the concept of politics
through the lens of Political Science.
POLITICS
“the total complex of relations between
people living in society (Merriam-
Webster 2020)”
“social relations involving authority or
power (Essential English Dictionary
2020)”
“the relationships within a group or
organization that allow particular people
to have power over others (Cambridge
Dictionary 2020)” .
POLITICS
Using the previous definition of politics,
it can be said that
Politics can be defined as “power
relations”
It is a person’s ability to achieve one’s
goal, and/or control or influence another
person
It may be to control or influence another
person’s opinion, way of thinking, or
actions.
POLITICS
Politics can be seen in how power or
“power players” are at work on large-
scale like in how the government
operates in country
Politics at work in small-scale like in
how one of your friends always get to
eat for free during health break,
thanks to your pockets.
POLITICS
When we study in large-scale (global,
international or national) we call that
macro perspective;
When we study in small-scale
(between two people, groups of
people, portion of society, regional),
we call that micro perspective.
POLITICS
In studying politics, the perspective of
another Social Science discipline,
which is Political Science is being
used.
POLITICS
Political science is the study of
governments, political processes, and
power relationships.
It encompasses the analysis of political
systems, institutions, behavior, and
policies, both domestically and
internationally.
Social
Dynamics:
Social,
Political,
Cultural
Changes
Social
Phenomena
are observable social
events or patterns of
behavior that arise from
the interactions of
Social individuals within a
society.
Phenome
These can include
na anything from the
spread of a new fashion
trend to the impact of
social media on
◦ They are shaped by
social structures,
cultural norms, and
Social individual actions,
Phenom constantly evolving and
ena influencing how people
think, behave, and
interact.
◦ Social phenomena
change over time
Social as:
Phenom Cultures grow
ena Technology develops
People’s beliefs shift
Social
Phenomena
SOCIAL significant
alterations in social
CHANG structures,
E institutions, or
cultural values over
time
Social conflict arises
CONFLIC from opposing
interests or values
T between individuals
or groups.
a social
phenomenon
involving prejudice,
RACIS discrimination, or
antagonism directed
M against a person or
people on the basis
of their membership
in a particular racial
or ethnic group.
SOCIA the unwritten rules
of behavior that are
L considered
NORM acceptable in a
specific society or
S group
a
BY psychological social
STANDEphenomenon where
R individuals are less
likely to offer help to
EFFECTsomeone in need
when other people
are present.
The media plays a
MASS significant role in
MEDIA shaping public
INFLUENC opinion,
influencing
E cultural norms,
and disseminating
information.
Trends in clothing,
hairstyles, and
FASHIO other aspects of
personal
N appearance are a
social
phenomenon
influenced by
cultural trends
As a social
institution,
MARRIAG marriage is a social
E phenomenon that
shapes individual
behaviors and
societal structures.
Changes in the
economy, such as
business cycles or
ECONOMI inflation, are
C considered social
FLUNCTUATION phenomena because
S they affect the
behavior and well-
being of individuals
and societies.
The movement of
people from one
IMMIGR country to another is a
social phenomenon
A-TION with significant
impacts on both the
sending and receiving
societies.
Informational
Social
Influence
This occurs when
individuals change
their behavior based
on the perceived
knowledge or opinions
of others.
This is a social
phenomenon where
Consumer
consumers display a
Arrogance sense of entitlement
or superiority in their
purchasing behavior.
Cultural
Phenomena
A widespread event,
behavior, or trend within a
society or group, deeply
influenced by its beliefs,
Cultural values, and practices.
They are often
Phenom characterized by a tipping
ena point where a certain
behavior or idea becomes
widely adopted, spreading
rapidly and significantly
impacting the culture.
Cultural
Phenomena
Platforms like
Facebook, Instagram,
Social and Twitter have
dramatically changed
Media how people
communicate, share
information, and form
communities.
Shows like "Survivor"
and "Big Brother"
Reality have become a
dominant force in
Television television, influencing
viewers' perceptions
of reality and
entertainment.
The
The internet has
Internet created new forms of
and cultural expression,
from online gaming
Digital communities to viral
Culture memes.
Festivals have
Music become cultural
Festivals events, shaping music
trends, fashion, and
social interactions.
The evolution and use
Languag of language are
constantly shaped by
e cultural context and
social interaction.
Specific art
Art movements, musical
genres, and artistic
and expressions can
become defining
Music characteristics of a
particular culture or
historical period.
Religious beliefs and
Religious rituals are powerful
Practices cultural forces that
shape individual and
collective behavior.
Architectural
Styles
Distinct architectural
styles can reflect the
values, technologies,
and aesthetic
preferences of a
particular culture.
Time How societies
perceive and organize
Perceptio time is influenced by
n cultural values and
beliefs.
Cultural These are the shared
Norms expectations and
beliefs that guide
and behavior within a
Values society.
Fads These are short-
lived but impactful
and cultural phenomena
that can quickly
Trends spread through a
population
POLITICAL
CHANGE
refers to shifts in power
structures, governance
systems, and political
Political
participation
societies.
within
Change This includes
transformations in how
societies are organized, how
decisions are made, and
how individuals and groups
engage with political
POLITICAL
CHANGE
The Arab Spring
uprisings
The transition from
authoritarian rule to
democracy in some
countries
Examples
The
political
rise of
parties
new
or
movements that
challenge traditional
political landscapes.
The increasing role of
social media in
facilitating political
In the end, some of
your greatest pains
becomes your
greatest strengths
-
Drew Barrymore