Philippine Popular Culture & Anthropology – Key Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering major concepts, theorists, practices, and cultural terms discussed in the lecture on Philippine Popular Culture and anthropology.

Culture

A set of learned behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and material objects shared by a group or society.

Cultural Anthropology

The subfield of anthropology that studies cultural variation and social differences among human societies.

Edward Tylor

Anthropologist who gave an early definition of culture in his 1871 book "Primitive Culture."

V. Gordon Childe

Archaeologist who distinguished between the broad term "culture" and the specific term "civilization."

Social Differences

Variations among individuals based on social characteristics that can foster prejudice and inequality.

Society

A group of people who interact and share a common culture, often within a defined territory.

Values

Standards a culture uses to judge what is good, desirable, or just.

Beliefs

Convictions or tenets that individuals or groups hold to be true.

Norms

Rules that define appropriate and expected behavior within a society.

Formal Norms

Written, explicitly stated rules such as laws or official policies.

Informal Norms

Unwritten rules of casual behavior learned through socialization.

Mores

Norms embodying moral views; violations bring serious sanctions (e.g., laws against murder).

Folkways

Everyday norms without strong moral basis (e.g., table manners).

Symbols

Gestures, signs, objects, or words that convey shared meanings within a culture.

Language

A symbolic system of communication, both spoken and written, through which culture is transmitted.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Theory that language shapes thought and perception (linguistic relativity).

Nonverbal Communication

Transmission of messages without words, using gestures, facial expressions, and body language.

Material Culture

Physical objects, resources, and spaces that reflect a society’s way of life.

Non-Material Culture

Intangible elements—values, beliefs, customs—that guide behavior and thinking.

Socialization

The lifelong process of learning a group’s norms, values, and expected behaviors.

Impulse Control & Conscience Development

Socialization goal that teaches right from wrong and internalizes societal rules.

Role Preparation

Socialization goal that trains individuals for future statuses such as jobs or parenthood.

Shared Meaning & Values

Socialization goal that transmits a culture’s core beliefs and priorities.

Nature

Inherited biological traits such as DNA and innate abilities.

Nurture

Environmental influences—family, culture, education—that shape behavior and identity.

Social Stratification

Systematic ranking of people into socioeconomic tiers based on wealth, power, and status.

Ascribed Status

Social position assigned at birth (e.g., race, family background).

Achieved Status

Social position earned through effort, education, or talent.

Meritocracy

Ideal system where success is based on individual ability and effort rather than birth.

Status Consistency

Degree to which an individual’s ranks in income, education, and occupation align.

Open System

Stratification structure that allows social mobility (e.g., class system).

Closed System

Stratification structure with little or no mobility (e.g., caste system).

Exogamous Marriage

Marriage between partners from different social classes or groups.

Endogamous Marriage

Marriage within the same social class or group, often by tradition.

Ethnicity

Shared cultural traits, ancestry, or nationality that distinguish a group.

Exceptionality

Condition of having special educational needs due to intellectual, sensory, physical, or behavioral factors.

Cultural Relativism

Understanding a culture on its own terms without judging by one’s own standards.

Ethnocentrism

Viewing one’s own culture as normal or superior while judging others as strange or inferior.

Folk Culture

Traditional way of life of a specific community, often tied to survival with nature.

Nationalist Culture

Culture formed through anti-colonial resistance and collective national identity.

Popular Culture (Philippines)

Mass-produced cultural forms introduced or shaped by colonial powers and later by media for widespread consumption.

Netizen

Active participant in online communities who contributes content and opinion.

Agenda-Setting Theory

Concept that media influence which issues the public thinks about through coverage emphasis.

Monopoly of Sources

Media reliance on limited information providers such as government and big business.

Baybayin

Pre-colonial Filipino syllabic script still used symbolically on currency and art.

Bulol

Ifugao carved wooden rice god representing prosperity and well-being.

Mano Po

Filipino gesture of respect where a younger person presses an elder’s hand to the forehead.

Bayanihan

Spirit of communal unity and cooperation, illustrated by neighbors helping move a house.

Balikbayan Box

Large box of goods sent home by overseas Filipinos as a symbol of love and support.

Kamayan

Traditional Filipino practice of eating food with one’s hands.

Hiya

Filipino concept of shame that motivates adherence to social norms.

Taglish

Code-switching mix of English and Tagalog used in everyday Filipino speech.

Tinikling

Traditional folk dance mimicking tikling birds, performed with bamboo poles.

Pangalay

Mindanao dance featuring graceful, flowing arm and hand movements.

Cenaculo

Religious stage play dramatizing the Passion of Christ, performed during Holy Week.

Fernando Amorsolo

Renowned Filipino painter famous for idyllic rural landscapes and luminous lighting.

Damian Domingo

Early 19th-century artist noted for tipos del país watercolor portraits of Filipinos in native attire.

Napoleon Abueva

"Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture," National Artist known for works in diverse materials.

OTOP (One Town, One Product)

Government program promoting unique local products to spur rural economic growth.

Torogan

Traditional Maranao royal house featuring ornate panolong beams with okkil carvings.

Cultural Universals

Elements found in all human societies, such as language, kinship, rituals, and art.