Anthropology and the Self: Understanding Culture, Family, and Gender in Shaping Identity

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on anthropology, self, culture, and identity.

Anthropology

The study of humans as biological, social, and cultural beings.

Biological being

The biological aspect of humans studied by anthropology, including evolution.

Social being

The social aspect of humans studied by anthropology.

Cultural being

The cultural aspect of humans studied by anthropology.

Identity formation

The process by which individuals develop a sense of self within cultural and social contexts.

Cross-cultural

Relating to or involving different cultures; anthropology is cross-cultural.

Global

Worldwide or worldwide perspective; spanning many cultures.

Genetics

Genetic factors that influence culture and human behavior.

Economics

Economic factors that influence culture and social life.

Geography

Geographical factors that shape cultural practices and identities.

Technology

Technological factors that influence culture and daily life.

Archaeology

Subfield using artifacts to study past societies.

History

Subfield focused on past events and cultures.

Artifact

An object from a past culture used to study it.

Physiological Anthropology

Study of human biology and evolution.

Moi (Core Self)

The core, constant biological identity of a person.

Personne (Social Self)

The self shaped by society and social roles.

Cultural adaptation

Adjustment of behavior to fit cultural norms.

Language

A cultural tool that shapes communication and identity.

Self-perception

How language and identity influence the way we see ourselves.

120+ languages in the Philippines; 7,117 languages globally

Examples of linguistic diversity illustrating language’s role in culture.

Self and Family

Family as a crucial influence on identity formation.

Sociology

The study of society and its institutions and their influence on behavior.

Nature vs. Nurture

Inborn traits versus learned behaviors in shaping individuals.

Socialization

Primary process of learning language, morals, and behavior from family.

Internalization

Adopting values and norms as part of one’s own beliefs.

Reinforcement

Learning through rewards and punishments.

Observation & imitation

Learning by watching others and copying behavior.

Gender identity

One’s sense of being male, female, or elsewhere, shaped by social expectations.

Gender roles

Societally imposed expectations about behavior based on gender.

Patriarchy

A social system where men hold primary power.

Gender as a social construct

The view that gender identity is shaped by cultural norms rather than biology.

Self-discovery

The process of exploring and understanding one’s own identity.

Personal growth

Development of self over time through experiences and reflection.