Anthropology Chapter 2: The Self as a Social Construct

Study Notes

Culture, as defined by Sir Edward B. Tylor, encompasses knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, and capabilities acquired by individuals in society.
Anthropology studies human culture and society, including humanity's origins and cultural evolution.
Anthropology emphasizes that culture is an evolving construct influenced by humans, highlighting its dynamic nature.

Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior and social relationships, examining individuals in the context of their groups and societies.
Culture serves as the intersection of anthropology and sociology, shaping personal identity through diverse cultural influences.
Cultural influences significantly shape individual self-understanding and identity.

Norms: Guidelines for behavior indicating what is proper or improper.
- Folkways: Everyday customs that dictate social correctness.
- Mores: Represent ethical standards and societal morals.
- Laws: Norms enforced through political organizations.
Values: Standards for evaluating desirability and importance in society.
Language: A symbolic system with specific meanings within a culture.
Fashion, Fads, and Crazes: Temporary social norms that reflect changing styles.

Material Culture: Involves physical artifacts and objects created by altering the environment, embodying cultural expression through goods and products.
Non-Material Culture: Comprises ideas, language, customs, and behaviors essential for cultural identity.
Both types contribute to understanding individual and societal self-conception.

Cultural context and societal beliefs fundamentally shape self-perception.
The self reflects the personality of culture, establishing the connection between individual identity and societal values.
Understanding individuals requires recognition of their cultural backgrounds.

Preparatory Stage: Lasts from birth to age two; characterized by mimicry of others.
Play Stage: From ages two to six; involves pretend play without following organized game rules.
Game Stage: From age seven onward; children understand and adhere to the rules, grasping others' perspectives and societal norms.

Culture functions as a system of control mechanisms guiding behavior, establishing rules for societal membership.
Humans, as "unfinished animals," depend on culture to align actions with societal expectations.
Culture provides a framework for individuals to understand their place within society.

Different cultural contexts influence self-perception, varying between individualistic Western thought and collectivist Eastern thought.
Western culture emphasizes individualism, whereas Eastern perspectives lean toward community and group cohesion.

Social values evolve, challenging traditional self-values within contemporary contexts.
The advent of digital technologies has transformed social interactions and self-perception, leading to questioning of authenticity and self-identity.

Generation Z (born 1995-2010) actively creates culture rather than passively consuming it.
This generation navigates multiple cultural identities and blends them beyond traditional categorizations based on race and ethnicity.
Their relationship with culture has shifted, focusing on self-presentation and identity in virtual contexts.