Lesson 3 - Anthropological Perspective of the Self PDF

Lesson 3 Anthropological Perspective of the Self Learning Outcomes: 1. Define Anthropology. 2. Explain culture and the mechanisms of enculturation. 3. Synthesize anthropological perspectives on self-awareness and self-reflective conduct. 4. Show appreciation of one’s cultura...

Lesson 3 Anthropological Perspective of the Self Learning Outcomes: 1. Define Anthropology. 2. Explain culture and the mechanisms of enculturation. 3. Synthesize anthropological perspectives on self-awareness and self-reflective conduct. 4. Show appreciation of one’s cultural identity through practice of one’s cultural values.  Anthropology Study of all the aspects of human condition. This includes human history, the present human condition and even the future possibilities. It also examines the biology of, interactions in society, language and culture. It explores the interconnectedness and interdependence of human cultural experiences in all places and ages. What is the anthropological concept of the Self? The Self is An animal specie which underwent the process of biological evolution and has shared characteristics with other living animals, the hominids, in particular Believed to have evolved from apes some 33 million years ago; its origin was from hominid species ‘homo sapiens’ Develops a culture resulting in behavioral changes Both biological and cultural identity What is the anthropological concept of the Self? The Self is A living animal but superior to other animals due to certain factors: - Physical aspects: self as the only with a larger brain capacity making him/her a rational animal, the only animal that can straight allowing him/her to have better mobility in doing things, etc. - Social aspects: self uses language and symbol in dynamic, complicated and yet systematic manner allowing him/her to communicate and preserve history, knowledge and culture.  Important Concepts of Anthropology: Culture & Enculturation Culture - Is traditionally defined as systems of human behavior and thought. - This covers all customs, traditions, and capabilities of humans as they function in society.  Important Concepts of Anthropology: Culture & Enculturation Characteristics of Culture Culture is shared. Culture is learned & People living in a integrated. society share culture. People are not born with culture, they have to learn it. Culture is symbolic. The tools & symbols used by our ancestors become integral part of the culture.  Important Concepts of Anthropology: Culture & Enculturation Enculturation - Is the transmission of culture from one generation to the next - Done through observation, use of language, adaptation to environment, rituals, formal and informal education. Clifford Geertz Culture is a system of inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms by means of which men communicate, perpetuate, and develop their knowledge about and attitudes toward life. The Self & Person in Contemporary Anthropology The anthropological self takes a holistic dimension of the individual person. The genetic component plays significant role in the cultural development of an individual. Environmental exposure is also a vital component in the creation of cultural self. - Some anthropologists claim that environmental exposure starts soon after birth. - However, contemporary anthropologists suggest that the environmental exposure starts during conception. The Self & Person in Contemporary Anthropology The growing years of the child are very crucial from an anthropological perspective. This is the time when the child develops the psychological construct of dependency and independency. Rearing practices are the key to the development of the neuromotor functions and neuromotor circuitry is fundamental in the formation of self-awareness. The Self & Person in Contemporary Anthropology Self-Awareness - Anthropology defines self-awareness as that which permits one to assume responsibility for one’s conduct, to learn how to react to others, and assume a variety of roles. - It has been observed that a child starts to conceptualize self-awareness at the age of 2. However, studies also show that it is conceptualized much earlier by children sleeping with parents and are exposed to a variety of stimuli like touch and the like. The Self & Person in Contemporary Anthropology Self-Awareness - Following the faster process of enculturation and self-awareness is the importance of attachment of positive values to one’s self. - In the continued process of Self-awareness, the child will eventually develop his/her own identity. The Self & Person in Contemporary Anthropology Self and Behavioral Environment - In order to strengthen the identity of the self, one must be able to grasp the different behavioral orientations. Object Spatial Temporal Normative Orientation Orientation Orientation Orientation The Self & Person in Contemporary Anthropology Self and Behavioral Environment Object Orientation Positions the self in relation to the surrounding objects. The self should be able to act responsively to the cultural objects around. - Example: The T’boli from South Cotabato Photo from Project UPAD The Self & Person in Contemporary Anthropology Self and Behavioral Environment Spatial Orientation Provides the self with personal space in relation to other people or things. The self must be able to keep personal space. The Self & Person in Contemporary Anthropology Self and Behavioral Environment Temporal Orientation Endows the self with the sense of time. Time is truly relevant to cultural communities. The Self & Person in Contemporary Anthropology Self and Behavioral Environment Normative Orientation Provides the self with the grasp of accepted norm in communal activities. The self at the very age must have known that killing, stealing, hurting others and the like should be avoided.  The Self Embedded in Culture When the self is able to distinguish what is acceptable behavior and what is not, it only follows that the self already able to recognize the differences of one’s self and the other. This ability to manage the differences between selves is what makes the self embedded in culture.  The Self Embedded in Culture Actual Self - includes all the feelings, thoughts, experiences, biological and psychological constitutions, language, and memory. Cultural Self - also being shaped by the same elements and more of actual self. What remains in the distinction is the solid identity of the self in relation to everyone else.  The Self Embedded in Culture The complexity of cultural identities of people, things, and events shall be recognized and respected by the self. The individual self must remain reflexive of the similarities and unique differences of everything around it. Anthropology recognizes the movement of this understanding towards plurality and multiplicity of thoughts, beliefs, convictions, and practices.  The Self Embedded in Culture In postmodern era, anthropological movements are already geared toward recognizing the power of culture in influencing the gaps or intervening spaces between people. It is only when the self recognizes the power of culture constituted by every system that we can have an effective shaping of social reality. Questions?