Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering culture, society, and politics from the provided notes.

Culture

The whole complex of learned behavior, attitudes, and beliefs developed by humans and passed down through generations; includes both material and non-material aspects.

Material culture

Tangible objects and artifacts (food, tools, dress, etc.) that carry symbolic meaning.

Non-material culture

Intangible aspects of culture such as beliefs, ideas, language, norms, and behaviors.

Symbols

Verbal or non-verbal signs that represent the cultural reality of a group.

Language

A shared system of spoken and written symbols used to transmit culture.

Values and Beliefs

Guidelines for what is good, desirable, important, and worthwhile.

Norms

Formal and informal rules about acceptable and appropriate behavior.

Customs

Practices common to a group that may become unwritten laws.

Laws

Rules that govern everyday life and rights and duties within a culture.

Politics

Governing activities and processes that regulate people, often shaped by leadership.

Religion

System of beliefs and practices that guides moral life.

Durkheim on religion

Religion provides social control and cohesion; without it society would lack unity and stability.

Human Cultural Variation

Differences in social behaviors and practices among cultures worldwide.

Ethnicity

Expression of cultural ideas held by a distinct ethnic or indigenous group (e.g., Tagalog, Cebuano).

Nationality

Legal relationship between a person and a country (e.g., Filipino, American).

Cultural Relativism

Idea that cultures must be understood on their own terms and context.

Composition of Cultural Variation

Key components such as Ethnicity, Religion, and Nationality that express cultural diversity.

Social Stratification

Systematic ranking of people in a hierarchy based on category, region, group, etc.

Caste system (India)

Ascribed rank at birth determining rights and duties.

Brahmins

Priests and teachers.

Kshatriyas

Warriors and rulers.

Vaishyas

Farmers, traders, and merchants.

Shudras

Laborers.

Dalits

Outcastes; those at the bottom of the caste system.

Class (Modern Societies)

Social position determined by achievements; upper, middle, lower classes.

Estate (Medieval)

Birth, possession, and wealth determine status; heredity.

Slavery

Condition where individuals are owned and controlled by others.

Social Mobility

Change in position within the social hierarchy.

Open System

Status is achieved through effort and merit.

Closed System

Status is ascribed at birth.

Karl Marx

German philosopher who argued society has two classes: Bourgeoisie and Proletariat.

Bourgeoisie

Owners of the means of production; the capitalist class.

Proletariat

Working class; those who sell their labor.

Gender

Socially constructed characteristics of being male or female.

Heterosexual

Attraction to the opposite sex.

Homosexual

Attraction to the same sex.

Asexual

Lack of sexual attraction to any sex.

Polysexual

Attraction to multiple genders.

Pansexual

Attraction to people regardless of gender.

Socio-economic Status (SES)

Position on the socio-economic scale based on income, education, occupation, and prestige.

Social Change

Alteration in the social order, including changes in institutions, behaviors, or relations.

Technology and Globalization

Factors that trigger social change and connect distant societies.

Cultural Change

Evolution of cultural components over time.

Innovation

Creation and institutionalization of new ideas or practices.

Diffusion

Spread of innovation from one group to another.

Assimilation

Absorption of minority culture into the dominant culture, often reducing home traditions.

Social Contradictions and Tensions

Inter-ethnic conflicts, protests, and social issues within a society.

Anarchy

State of disorder from lack of recognized authority or laws.

Monarchy

A government ruled by a single ruler, typically by birthright.

Absolute monarchy

A monarchy with unrestricted power.

Constitutional monarchy

A monarchy where the ruler's powers are limited by a constitution.

Dictatorship

A regime where one leader or party holds power with limited or no legal constraints.

Totalitarianism

A system where the state controls nearly every aspect of life.

Aristocracy

Rule by a small, elite group deemed the 'best' members of society.

Oligarchy

Rule by a few powerful people.

Democracy

Government by the people, typically through elections and participation.

Demos

Root meaning 'people' in democracy.

National Government

Sets national policies and governs the country as a whole.

Local Government

Provides essential services to communities (provinces, cities, municipalities).

Charter Change

Process of modifying a nation's constitution.

Feudalism

System where land ownership defines power and social relations.

Political Identity

Affiliation with a group and expression of political opinions.

Social Phenomena

Observable events or trends influenced by individuals and groups.

Cultural Phenomena

Concepts or behaviors shaped by beliefs, values, and practices.

Political Phenomena

Events related to authority, governance, and political practice.

Social Behavior and Phenomena

Broad sociological concepts involving interactions among people and learned experiences.

Food Taboo

Prohibition on consuming certain foods or drinks.

Istambay

Tagalog term for standby or idleness.

Marriage

Legal and formal union of a man and a woman as partners.

Cultural Behavior

Actions that people do because others do the same.

Popularity

Being liked, admired, or supported by many; can lead to fan bases.

Social Media Buzz

Activity on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Political Behavior

Actions influenced by political views and participation, such as voting.

ASEAN 2015 Integration

Ten-member regional integration promoting free trade and movement of labor.

Election

Formal process of choosing representatives or leaders.

Political Dynasty

Family members collectively involved in public governance.

Celebrity Endorsement

A political candidate seeks support from a famous person.

Anthropology

Study of humans, from Greek anthropos (human) and logos (knowledge).

Alfred Kroeber

American cultural anthropologist who viewed anthropology as both humanistic and scientific.

Thomas H. Eriksen

Anthropologist who defined anthropology as knowledge about humans.

National Museum of Anthropology

Philippine institution showcasing archaeological and ethnological heritage.

Archaeology

Study of past cultures via tangible remains.

Manunggul Jar

Ancient burial jar (~2,700 years old) found in Palawan; renowned example of Philippine pottery.

Cultural Anthropology

Study of human culture, including social structure, language, politics, religion, and technology.

Linguistics Anthropology

Anthropology focusing on languages and their use.

Baybayin

Ancient Philippine writing system; from baybay meaning 'to spell'.

Physical Anthropology

Study of human evolution and biological diversity in cultural context.

Political Science

Study of politics and political systems; Aristotle coined 'politics' from polis.

Aristotle

Father of Political Science; early theorist on government and polis.

Comparative Politics

Study of politics across different nations, e.g., Philippines vs. Japan.

Constitutional Law

Study of legal frameworks; e.g., a country's constitution and rights.

International Relations

Study of politics among nations and cross-border cooperation.

Political Theory

Study of classical and modern political ideas, including feminism in politics.

Feminism in politics

Idea that political systems should ensure equal rights and representation for all genders.

Public Administration

Study of how bureaucracies function and implement policy.

Public Policy

Interplay of politics and economics; e.g., free college education law.

Sociology

Science of societies and social relationships.

Auguste Comte

Founder of sociology; argued that social life is unified and interdependent.

Macrosociology

Focus on large-scale social processes and structures (functionalism, conflict, interactionism).

Microsociology

Study of social life at the individual and small-group level.