The Perspectives of Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture on anthropology, sociology, and political science.

Anthropology

The social science that studies human culture, evolution, and diversity across time and space through methods like fieldwork and participant observation.

Cultural Relativism

An anthropological principle that cultures must be understood on their own terms without judging them by the standards of another culture.

Fieldwork

First-hand, on-site research (often long-term) used by anthropologists to gather data through participant observation.

Holistic Approach (Anthropology)

Studying human societies by examining biological, cultural, historical, and ecological dimensions as an interconnected whole.

Cross-Cultural Comparison

The systematic comparison of cultural data from multiple societies to identify similarities and differences.

Kinship

Social relationships based on blood, marriage, or adoption studied by anthropologists to understand family structures and obligations.

Rituals

Symbolic, often repetitive actions that express cultural beliefs and reinforce social bonds.

Usog

A Filipino folk belief that harm can be caused to a child by a stranger’s greeting or gaze.

Albularyo

A traditional Filipino folk healer employing herbal remedies, prayers, and rituals.

Sociology

The systematic study of social structures, institutions, and interactions within human groups.

Social Structure

Enduring patterns of relationships, roles, and institutions that organize society.

Social Stratification

The hierarchical ranking of individuals or groups in a society based on factors like class, power, and status.

Structural Functionalism

A sociological perspective that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to maintain stability.

Conflict Perspective

A sociological theory emphasizing competition over scarce resources, power, and inequality in shaping social life.

Symbolic Interactionism

A micro-level sociological perspective focusing on how people create shared meanings through everyday interactions.

Social Roles

Patterns of expected behavior attached to particular social positions or statuses.

Norms

Shared rules or expectations that guide behavior within a society or group.

Deviance

Behavior that violates social norms and elicits negative social reactions.

Labor Migration (OFWs)

The movement of Filipino workers abroad, whose remittances affect family structures and national economy.

Political Science

The discipline that analyzes systems of government, power distribution, political behavior, and public policy.

Power Distribution

The way authority and influence are allocated among individuals, groups, or institutions in society.

Polyarchy

Robert Dahl’s concept describing a form of democracy where power is dispersed among many groups rather than centralized.

Citizen Participation

Involvement of individuals in political processes such as voting, protesting, or policy advocacy.

Democracy

A political system in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives.

International Relations

A subfield of political science that studies interactions among states, international organizations, and transnational actors.

Holistic Understanding (Interdisciplinary)

Integrating anthropological, sociological, and political perspectives to gain a comprehensive view of social phenomena.