GEC 101: Understanding The Self

GEC 101: UNDERSTANDING THE SELF Anthropological View of Self  Objectives At the end of the lesson, students should be able to: Describe the advantages and disadvantages of having an Individualistic and Collectivistic culture. Compare and contrast the Individualistic and Collectivistic...

GEC 101: UNDERSTANDING THE SELF Anthropological View of Self  Objectives At the end of the lesson, students should be able to: Describe the advantages and disadvantages of having an Individualistic and Collectivistic culture. Compare and contrast the Individualistic and Collectivistic culture.  Learning Guide Questions: What are the characteristics of Individualistic and Collectivistic culture? What are the differences between the two? In your own opinion, which is better? Anthropological View of Self  Anthropology, “the science of humanity,” BERNARDINO DE SAHAGUN - Founder of Modern Anthropology. CULTURE - Culture is how we act, think and behave based the shared values of our society. CULTURAL RELATIVISM – is the view that there are no universal standards or values or rules for labeling a behavior abnormal; instead, behaviors can only  What is culture? Material culture – is the physical things that are created by a society. Consists of concrete and tangible objects like tools, furniture, automobiles, books, buildings, etc. These concrete and tangible objects are man-  What is culture? Nonmaterial Culture- it is the intangible things produced by a culture. Consists of intangible and abstract objects It includes customs, tradition, habits, beliefs, habits, attitude, manners, language, literature. Religion, law, etc. 3 MAIN ELEMENTS OF CULTURE  Symbols - Anything that carries a specific meaning that’s recognized by people who share a culture (e.g., non-verbal gesture) CULTURAL TRANSMISSION is the way a group of people within a society or culture tend to learn and pass on new information. 3 MAIN ELEMENTS OF CULTURE Values - The cultural standards that people use to decide what’s good or good or bad, what’s right or wrong, serve as the ideals and guidelines that we live by. Beliefs are specific ideas about what people think is true about the world  Norms - The rules and expectations that guide behavior within a society. 3 TYPES OF NORMS Folkways – the informal little rules that kind of go without saying Mores – are more official than folkways and tend to be codified, or formalized, as stated rules and laws of a society Taboo – the norms that are crucial to s society’s moral center involving behaviors that are always negatively sanctioned.  The Self in Different Cultural Context Collectivist characterized by emphasis on cohesiveness among individuals and prioritization of the group over the self, Individuals or groups.  The Self in Different Cultural Context Collectivist One’s identity is, in large part, a function of one’s membership and role in a group, e.g., the family or work team. The survival and success of the group ensures the well-being of the individual, so that by considering the needs and feelings of others, one protects oneself. Harmony and the interdependence of group members are stressed and valued. Group members are relatively close psychologically and emotionally, but distant toward non-group members.  The Collectivistic Culture (Eastern Thought) Collectivism views the group as the primary entity, with the individuals lost along the way. Harmony and the interdependence of group members are stressed and valued. Individuals in collectivist culture are likely to value what is good for the whole over what is good for one person.  The Collectivistic Culture (Eastern Thought) The people from collectivistic cultures are more likely to have an interdependent view of themselves (they see themselves as connected to others, define themselves in terms of relationships with others, and see their characteristics as more likely to change across different contexts).  Traits of Collectivism Each person is encouraged to be an active player in society, to do what is best for society as a whole rather than themselves. The rights of families, communities, and the collective supersede those of the individual. Rules promote unity, brotherhood, and selflessness. Working with others and cooperating is the norm; everyone supports each other as a community, family or nation more than as an individual  The Self in Different Cultural Context Individualist characterized by individualism, which is the prioritization or emphasis, of the individual over the entire group  The Self in Different Cultural Context Individualist The individual identifies primarily with self, with the needs of the individual being satisfied before those of the group. Looking after and taking care of on being self-sufficient, guarantees the well-being of the group. Independence and self-reliance are greatly stressed and valued. In general, people tend to distance themselves psychologically and emotionally from each other. One may choose to join groups, but group membership is not essential to one’s identity or success.  The Individualistic Culture (Western Thought) People from individualistic cultures are more likely to have an independent view of themselves (they see themselves as separate from others, define themselves based on their personal traits, and see their characteristics as relatively stable and unchanging).  The Individualistic Culture (Western Thought) Social behavior tends to be dictated by the attitudes and preferences of individuals.  Traits of Individualism "I" identity. Promotes individual goals, initiative and achievement. Individual rights are seen as being the most important. Independence is valued; there is much less of a drive to help other citizens or communities than in collectivism. Relying or being dependent on others is frequently seen as shameful. People are encouraged to do things on their own; to rely on themselves people strive for their own successes  Weaknesses of the two cultures People in individualist cultures are susceptible to loneliness, and people in collectivist cultures can have a strong fear of rejection Individualism does not allow for other people to experience that person’s talents or creativity. Learning to cooperate with others is what builds character; friendship and important life skills. It can also lead to difficulties with social life. In Collectivism some members tend to be lazy if there are too many group members. People in individualist cultures are susceptible to loneliness, and people in collectivist cultures can have a strong fear of rejection Individualism does not allow for other people to experience that person’s talents or creativity. Learning to cooperate with others is what builds character; friendship and important life skills. It can also lead to difficulties with social life. In Collectivism some members tend to be lazy if there are too many group members.  The Self in Differing Cultural Context “Remaining the same person and turning chameleon to one’s context seems paradoxical.” – Marcel Mauss 2 FACES OF SELF ACCORDING TO MAUSS: MOI – refers to a person’s sense of who he is, his body, his basic identity, and his biological givenness. It is stable and static.  SOCIETY A society is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, on a large social group sharing the same geographical or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations. Societal Norms – patterns of behavior within a given society. SOCIETY A society is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, on a large social group sharing the same geographical or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations. Societal Norms – patterns of behavior within a given society.  CATEGORIES OF SOCIETY 1.PRE-INDUSTRIAL - In a Pre-Industrial society, food production, which is carried out through the use of human and animal labor, is the main economic activity. 2. INDUSTRIAL - Industrial societies rely heavily on machines powered by fuels for the production of goods. 3. POST-INDUSTRIAL - Dominated by  SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE SELF IN WESTERN THOUGHT SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION is a shared assumption or perception of the people in society. The WESTERN SOCIAL CONSTRUCT OF THE SELF can be characterized in 3 ways: 1.Individualistic self 2.Self-sufficiency 3.Self being rational  SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE SELF IN WESTERN THOUGHT INDIVIDUALISTIC SELF - At a very young age, the child is already taught to pursue what is best for themself. Thus, later in adult life, the measure of a successful life is when the self can fulfill the life goals set for and by the self.  SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE SELF IN WESTERN THOUGHT SELF-SUFFICIENCY - This construct presumes that a successful self must be able to supply one’s needs without external assistance. SELF BEING RATIONAL - In western practice, there is no time for the self to be weak and emotional. The self must not waste resources on meditation and other  SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE SELF IN WESTERN THOUGHT INDIVIDUALISTIC SELF - At a very young age, the child is already taught to pursue what is best for themself. Thus, later in adult life, the measure of a successful life is when the self can fulfill the life goals set for and by the self.