Lesson 2: Defining culture and society from the perspectives of anthropology and sociology

Society

describes a group of people who share a common territory and a culture. It represents: Social Structures and Organization. E.G: Baranggay, City, Country Asia

Territory

sociologists refer to a definable region- as small as a neighborhood

Culture

refers to that complex whole which encompasses beliefs, practices, values, attitudes, laws, norms, artifacts, symbols, knowledge, and everything that a person learns and shares as a member of society.

Classification of Culture

Material Culture, Nonmaterial Culture, Cognitive Culture, Normative Culture

Material Culture

visible and tangible. Material objects : physical representation. Tools, Furniture, Buildings, Bridges, Gadgets, etc.

Nonmaterial Culture

nontangible or without physical representation. Can be categorized into cognitive and normative nonmaterial culture.

Cognitive Culture

includes the ideas, concepts, philosophies, designs etc. that are products of the mental or intellectual functioning and reasoning of the human mind.

Normative Culture

includes all the expectations, standards and rules for human behavior

Elements of Culture

Beliefs, Values, Language, Technology, and Norms

Beliefs

conceptions or ideas people have about what is true in the environment around them. These may be based on common sense, folk wisdom, religion, science, or a combination of all of these

Values

these are broad, abstract, and shared to influence and guide the behavior of people/ People live in a culture wherein symbols are used to understand each other. Describes what is appropriate or inappropriate (good or bad; desirable or undersirable; worthy or unworthy) in a given society or what ought to be: symbols, verbal, nonverbal-communicate meaning acts gestures signs and objects

Language

is a shared set of spoken and written symbols known as storehouse of culture(transmission of culture)

Technology

refers to the application of knowledge and equipment to ease the task of living and the maintaining environment. Artfacts, methods, and devices created and used by people.

Norms

are specific rules/standards to guide appropriate behavior. Types: Proscriptive, Prescriptive. Forms: Folkways, Mores, Taboos, Laws

Proscriptive

defines and tells us things not to do

Prescriptive

defines and tells us things to do

Folkways

customs, these are norms for everyday behavior that people follow for the sake of tradition or convenience

Mores

these are strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior. are norms based on definitions of right or wrong

Taboos

these are norms that society holds so strongly that violating it results in extreme disgust

Laws

are codified ethics, and formally agreed, written down and enforced by an official law enforcement agency

Types of Society

Hunting and Gathering Societies, Pastoral Societies, Horticultural Societies, Agricultural Societies, Industrial Societies, Post-industrial Societies,

Hunting and Gathering Societies

These are the earliest forms of society. These are small and generally with less than 50 members and is nomadic. The members survive primarily by hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering edible plants. Some division of labor based on gender. Hunting and gathering societies were also tribal.

pastoral society?

A pastoral society is a type of society that relies mainly on the domestication and breeding of animals for transportation and food.

What is the origin and meaning of the term “pastoral”?

The word pastoral came from the Latin word “pastor,” meaning shepherd.

What do you call a person who lives in a pastoral society?

A person living in a pastoral society is called a pastoralist.

Why are pastoral societies usually found in certain environments?

Pastoral societies are common in areas where crops cannot be supported, so Pastoral societies move only when the land where animals graze is no longer usable.

Horticultural Societies

These societies rely on the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and plants to survive. They are often forced to relocate when the resources of the land are depleted or when the water supplies decrease.

What happens to productivity and mobility in agricultural societies?

Productivity increases, and as long as there is plenty of food, people do not have to move.

What is the main focus of agricultural societies?

Agricultural societies focus on the mode of production, relying on organized cultivation of crops.

How do agricultural societies cultivate crops?

They rely on the use of technology to cultivate crops in large areas, including wheat, rice, and corn.

What social changes appear in agricultural societies?

Agricultural societies show greater degrees of social stratification.

How did farmers and warriors interact in agricultural societies?

Farmers provided warriors with food in exchange for protection against enemies.

What kind of political system emerged in agricultural societies?

A system of rulers with high social status (nobility) appeared, organizing warriors to protect the society from invasion.

What period do sociologists call the start of industrial societies?

Sociologists refer to the 18th century period when the production of goods in mechanized factories began as the Industrial Revolution.

Where did the Industrial Revolution first appear, and how did it spread?

The Industrial Revolution first appeared in Britain and then quickly spread to the rest of the world.

What powers industrial societies and led to industrialization?

Industrial societies use advanced sources of energy to run large machinery, which led to industrialization.

How did industrialization affect transportation and living patterns?

Industrialization led to innovations in transportation, which allowed people to travel, work in factories, and live in cities.

Post-industrial societies

Their economy is based on services and technology, not production. the economy is dependent on tangible goods, people must pursue greater education and the new communications technology allows work to be performed from variety of locations.