Anthropological Perspective of the Self PDF

ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE of the SELF ANTHROPOLOGY Is the holistic “science of man”, a science of totality of human existence. It offers a holistic appreciation of human nature and the cultural description of the existence of man from one time to another for survival....

ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE of the SELF ANTHROPOLOGY Is the holistic “science of man”, a science of totality of human existence. It offers a holistic appreciation of human nature and the cultural description of the existence of man from one time to another for survival. It comes from the Greek word Anthropos which means human and logos which mean study.  Dealscultural and biological similarities and variations Study human populations in all periods of time, all parts of the world ANTHROPOLOGY 2 general subdivisions: 1. Physical Anthropology 2. Cultural Anthropology  English CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY anthropologist, the founder of the branch of anthropology cultural dealing with the origins, anthropology. history, and development of human culture, and including in its scope the fields of archaeology, ethnology, ethnography, and linguistics CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY uses intensive field investigations deals with political and economic organization law and conflict resolution patterns of consumption and exchange kinship and family structure gender relations childbearing and socialization religion, mythology, and magic symbols and language family and social systems the arts secret societies (and all other forms of cultural behavior) defines the selves CULTURE a complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. – Edward Taylor the customary ways of thinking, feeling and behaving and which they transmit from one generation to another. WAYS BY WHICH CULTURE IS LEARNED OR ACQUIRED 1. Imitation - human action by which one tends to duplicate more or less exactly the behavior of others. 2. Indoctrination - takes place in the form of formal teaching or training which may take place anywhere. 3. Conditioning -the individual acquires certain patterns of beliefs, values, behaviors or actions further reinforced by system of reward and punishment 4. Acculturation - process by which societies of different cultures are modified through fairly close and long continued contact 5. Amalgamation - intermarriage of persons coming from different cultural groups, resulting into some kind of biological fusion COMPONENTS OF CULTURE A. MATERIAL CULTURE - artifacts, tools, objects made from tools B. NON-MATERIAL CULTURE 1. NORMS a. Folkways b. Mores (sing. mos) Taboos are negative mores. c. Laws Sanctions – reward or punishment Social Control – applying sanctions in order to encourage conformity to social norms 2. IDEAS, BELIEFS, VALUES 3. SYMBOLS- Language Folkways - are specific social norms that define and guide behavior in society. - are informal rules and norms that, while not offensive to violate, are expected to be followed - are culturally-defined norms of etiquette that are not very serious if broken. Examples: covering your mouth when you cough; kissing of one's parent or elder's hand when a person arrive from a trip, during evening or when someone meet his or her elder. Another one is the use of “Po” and “Opo” when a person is talking to an elder or older person, a person of superior or of higher status. Mores - are social norms that are widely observed within a particular society or culture. Mores determine what is considered morally acceptable or unacceptable within any given culture. - are moral norms, meaning they have an element of right or wrong. Some examples of mores include lying, stealing, gossiping, bullying, and trespassing Ideas - are non-material aspects of culture and embody man’s conception of physical, social and cultural world. Beliefs – refer to a person’s conviction about a certain idea. – it embodies people’s perception of reality. Values – abstract concepts of what is important or worthwhile. – closely interrelated with norms ❑ Norms are specific, concrete and situational ❑ Values are general and often serve as a measure to judge norms Cultural Diversity ❑ refersto the wide range of differences in cultural patterns, ideas, beliefs, knowledge, forms of social organization and practical responses to the environment Factors that Promote Cultural Diversity Environment Isolation Technology Cultural themes Diffusion Approaches in Analyzing Culture It involves understanding its major values and norms, seeing how these are reflected in social behavior, and perhaps studying the way in which the values and norms shape and are shaped by the material culture. APPROACHES IN CULTURAL ANALYSIS 1. Functionalist Approach ❑sees a particular trait as existing because it serves as an important social function. ❑Cultural trait- simplest unit or element of culture. ❑Culture complex- is a system of interrelated traits that function together as a unit. ❑Culturepattern- is a specific and enduring system of trait complexes. 2. Ideological Approach ❑This approach tries to find out which groups support which ideas, values, and so on, and for what reasons. ❑Ideology- when idea, value, norm, or other culture trait works to the advantage of one group for any reason. 3. Ecological Approach ❑compares the social structure of different societies that have the same level of hunting technology. –Julian Steward (1955) ❑Ecology- the study of relationship between organisms and their environment. ❑Culturalecology- culture traits are shaped by the resources and limitations of the surrounding environment and by the changes in that environment. Symbolic Uses of Culture 1. Culture of Poverty 2. Culture of Opulence 3. Culture of Corruption 4. Culture of Silence / Culture of Sabotage 5. Pop Culture 6. Culture of Apathy 7. Culture of Conspicuous Consumption 8. Culture of Exploitation and Dehumanization CULTURE OF POVERTY refers to the learned ways of life of the poor, a vicious cycle of deprivation and want transmitted from one generation to the next CULTURE OF POVERTY CULTURE OF OPULENCE refers to the ways of life of the rich and the famous in their world of glitz and glamour CULTURE OF OPULENCE CULTURE OF CORRUPTION refers to the established patterns of illegally amassing wealth and obtaining power or concessions in the government or private office CULTURE OF SABOTAGE refers to the individual or group attitude to keep silent as a resigned response to authority or deliberate action aimed at weakening a polity or corporation through subversion, obstruction, disruption or destruction POP CULTURE refers to popular ways, practices , and interest of contemporary society POP CULTURE CULTURE OF APATHY refers to the prevalent inaction, indifference, lack of emotion and interest of the people in regard to the issues and concerns which need attention and resolution. CULTURE OF CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION refers to the ways and practices of the super rich in buying goods and obtaining services in excess of what they can actually consume and use. CULTURE OF EXPLOITATION AND DEHUMANIZATION CULTURE OF EXPLOITATION AND DEHUMANIZATION  refers to the socially entrenched patterns of abusive and exploitative practices by the moneyed and power – wielding members of the society against the culturally deprived and materially disadvantaged group of the society.