TO THE LEARNERS

Here are some reminders as you use this module:

 Use the module with care especially in turning each page.
 Be reminded to answer the Pre-Test before moving on to the
Learning Module.
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 11
Understanding
Culture, Society
and Politics
Anthropological and Sociological
perspectives on culture

FERD FRANCIS P. ALAMAG

Copyright 2019

1
 WHAT IS THIS MODULE ALL ABOUT?

This module serves as a learning resource material in understanding the

target competency expected in the curriculum.

TOPIC
Anthropological and sociological perspectives on culture and society

CONTENT STANDARD
Culture and society as anthropological and sociological concepts

LEARNING COMPETENCY

UCSPC11DCS-Ic-6

Explain anthropological and sociological perspectives on culture and society.

The presented activities or exercises and texts are developed

in order to meet the following objectives:

1. Define the concept of culture.

2. Distinguish the concept of culture both anthropological and sociological

perspective.

3. Appreciate how culture differs from one’s culture.

2
 PRE-TEST Score: ____________

Read the following items carefully. Write the

letter of your answer on the space provided.

_____1. Which of the following definition gives the full essence of the concept
of “culture”?

A. Culture as an organized body of conventional understandings

manifest in art which, persisting through tradition,
characterizes a human group
B. Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief,
art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits
acquired by man as a member of society
C. Culture as the handiwork of man and the medium through
which he achieves his ends
D. Culture as the body of thought and knowledge, both theoretical
and practical, which only man can possess

_____2. Which of the following definition of culture referred to as

anthropological perspective?

A. Culture as an organized body of conventional understandings

manifest in art which, persisting through tradition,
characterizes a human group
B. Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief,
art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits
acquired by man as a member of society
C. Culture as the handiwork of man and the medium through
which he achieves his ends
D. Culture as the body of thought and knowledge, both theoretical
and practical, which only man can possess

_____3. Which of the following definition of culture referred to as sociological

perspective?

A. Culture as an organized body of conventional understandings

manifest in art which, persisting through tradition,
characterizes a human group
B. Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief,
art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits
acquired by man as a member of society
C. Culture as the handiwork of man and the medium through
which he achieves his ends

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 D. Culture denotes acquired behaviors and habits that are shared
by and transmitted among groups of people as a result of their
interaction with one another.

_____4. Which of the following choices pertains to an English anthropologist

who first coin the term “culture” in his book entitled Primitive Culture?

A. R. Redfiled
B. Auguste Comte
C. Edward B. Tylor
D. Karl Marx

_____5. It refers to firmly held opinion or conviction, regardless of the lack of

verifiable evidence that became a part of the culture within the society and
transferred from generations to generations.

A. Morals
B. Beliefs
C. Manners
D. Values

_____6. It pertains to facts, information, and skills acquired by a person

through experience or education.

A. Education
B. Training
C. Seminar
D. Knowledge

_____7. Which of the following refers to a lesson, especially one concerning

what is right or prudent, that can be derived from a story, a piece of
information, or an experience.

A. Moral
B. Wisdom
C. Knowledge
D. Manners

4
_____8. It pertains to the various branches of creative activity, such as
painting, music, literature, and dance which became a part of the culture of
a particular society, community, tribes, or nation.

A. Art
B. Tradition
C. Belief
D. Customary Practices

_____9. Which of the following reasons is CORRECT why culture described

as a complex whole according to E.B. Tylor?

A. Complex whole means that understanding of a part can only be

achieved in relation to the other parts of the system.
B. Complex whole means no culture can exist except as it is
embodied in a human society.
C. Complex whole means that one must always keep in mind the
interdependence and the reciprocal relationship between culture
and society.
D. Complex whole means that each is distinguishable concept in
which the pattern and organization of the whole is more important
than any of the component parts.

_____10. Which of the following choices below gives this definition of culture:
culture as “the handiwork of man and the medium through which he
achieves his ends”?

A. V. de Robert
B. E.B. Tylor
C. B. Malinowski
D. R. Redfield

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 LET’S SEE WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW

TRUE OR FALSE

Direction. Write T if the statement is true, however, write the correct

word(s), phrase or term if the underlined word is incorrect. Write your
answer on the space provided.

____1. Philosophy gives understanding about political ideas, ideologies,

institutions, policies, processes, and behavior, as well as groups, classes,
government, diplomacy, law, strategy, and war.

____2. The goal of anthropology as a social science is to seek answers about

man’s existence and his social experiences.

____3. Mixed methods are employed in ethnography as far as data gathering

is concern. One of it enables the researchers to learn about the activities of
the people under study in the natural setting through observing and
participating in those activities, this is called survey.

____4. Interview as an inquiry in studying an issue, problem, or phenomena

as far as culture, society, and politics is concern, an appropriate research
method in data gathering is very important used in testing hypothesis and
answering research problems that need statistical analysis.

___5. Survey refers to a qualitative research method that asks questions to

key informants and participants in the research which also one of the
research method in data gathering.

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 LET’S LEARN

In this lesson, you will encounter different definitions of culture from

different proponents. Hence, culture is a broad concept, it cannot be defined
in just a single definition alone.

Defining Culture

E.B. Taylor, an English anthropologists, was the first to coin the term
“culture” in the eighteenth century. The study of society is incomplete
without proper understanding of the culture of that society because culture
and society go together. Culture is a unique possession of man. Man is born
and brought up in a cultural environment. Culture is the unique quality of
man which separates him from the lower animals. Culture includes all that
a man acquires in his social life.

There are several definitions of culture in the circulation.

B. Malinowski, he defined culture as “the handiwork of man and the

medium through which he achieves his ends”.

R. Redfield, on the other hand, defined culture as “an organized body

of conventional understandings manifest in art which, persisting through
tradition, characterizes a human group”.

V. de Robert described culture as “the body of thought and knowledge,

both theoretical and practical, which only man can possess”.

But of all the given definitions from different minds, it seems that E.B.
Taylor capture the full essence of the concept which he said that culture is
“that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morale, laws,
custom, and any other capabilities and habits as acquired by man as a
member of the society”. The “complex whole” suggests that culture culture
cannot be simply broken down into a set of attributes. It means that an
understanding of a part can only be achieved (or is only possible) in relation
to the other parts of the system.

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 LET’S TRY THIS AND SELF-CHECK

THINK-PAIR-SHARE

Direction: Create a simple personal profiling of yourself. Choose one

partner from your classmate that you feel comfortable to share your own
profile.

MY PROFILE

NAME: ____________________________________________
GENDER: _________________________________________
AGE: ______________________________________________

Describing the family I have.

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

How my parents discipline me and my siblings.

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

How do we spend quality time as a family.

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

The values my family uphold.

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

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 LET’S STUDY AND ANALYZE THESE

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

What common culture does you and your partner have base on the activity
you have encountered?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.

Why do you think your culture is not the same with the culture acquired by
your partner? Do you think that your upbringing and the society you are a
part of has a big impact on how you behave, act, and decide? Explain your
thoughts on the space provided.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.

Does culture can be taught and caught at the same time? How? Explain
your standpoint on the space provided.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.

For you, what is culture that is Filipino?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.

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 LET’S LEARN

In this lesson you will be focusing on the definitions of culture in two

different perspectives: anthropological and sociological perspectives.

But first, what is culture for you? Have you ever asked yourself why
there are people not the same with your upbringing, practices, beliefs,
manners, or behavior? Or have you observed why foreigners act differently
than us Filipinos? Why do people speak different languages, wore different
types of clothes, eat delicacies not similar to your own country? The answer
lies on what is the concept of culture all about.

Culture as anthropological perspective

Culture is a way of life, all the

things whether it be tangible or
knowledge
intangible that a man can acquired
capabilities
belief and produced in his/her own
/ habits motherland is called culture. These are
the factors that shaped and affect
people both socially and culturally and
custom art
gives identities to a particular nation.
For an instance, why do you think
foreigners would probably described
Filipinos as hospitable? Part of the
morals law Filipino culture is to always treat our
guests warmly, whether they are
foreigners or not, therefore if there is
one thing that foreigners would usually
comment about right after they visit
the Philippines, it would probably not be the food or the places they visited,
but the hospitality of the people. It is hard to get rid of this trait though, as
it has been part of the Filipino culture since the ancient times. Before the
Philippines was even a colony of Spain, the Datus (rulers of the land)
already warmly welcomed foreign people landing here to barter and trade.

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When the Spaniards first came, they were also treated with great hospitality
before things got out of hand and both parties became hostile.

In the Philippine settings, part of our culture as Filipino affects and

shaped us with these factors:

Knowledge both caught and taught, our knowledge from the very
beginning was being passed on by our parents as they nurture us in
becoming who we are right now, these knowledge was also being passed on
by our parents’ ancestors, their parents too. From reading and writing up to
the complex tasks, it is a cycle of passing on of knowledge from generation
to generation.

Belief sometimes comes with no scientific explanation but through

folklore. Filipinos have a number of folk beliefs about life, family, luck,
wealth, etc.. The Tagalog terms for folk beliefs and superstitions
are: paniniwala (beliefs), kasabihan ng mga matatanda (what the old people
say), and pamahiin (superstitions). Have you ever remembered at least one
belief that your family passed on to you? Don’t go straight home after
attending a wake. This superstition is called “pagpag” (the shaking off of
dirt). In the context of a wake, it means going elsewhere after attending the
wake before heading home to shake off the spirit of the deceased lest it
follows you home. Superstitions surrounding wakes are among the most
widely practiced by Filipinos still today. Another is that the family of the
deceased should not drop off visitors at the door upon saying goodbye as it
symbolizes dropping them off at their own deaths. And, as for serving food at
wakes (be it heavy meals or light snacks) at Filipino wakes is customary,
visitors should not make the mistake of taking any home with them (be it a
small piece of candy), as it signifies inviting misfortune into your home.

However, we Filipinos are in fact creative people, we have so many

arts that colored our history and some of the Filipino National Painters are
from Luzon. But art is not only about paintings but it also comes in a form
of music, dance, fabric, and among others that still preserved even up to
this day. Example is the T’nalak woven cloth from the T’boli tribes, these
T’boli women are called the dream weavers simply because the designs they
put into the T’nalak woven cloth came from their own dreams when they feel
asleep.
On the other hand, we Filipinos have these morals that instilled in us
through the discipline. Respect is often observed - not just by younger
people but also by people of all ages. Children respect elders by saying "po"
and "opo" which mean "yes" when answering their elders. Children or young
adults also show respect by putting their elders' hands on their foreheads.

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Filipinos value their families so much that they tend to keep families intact
through the generations. Families go to church and pray together because
their religion is important and creates a strong bond, marking God as the
center of their lives. Families make sure to have quality time together
especially after a day's work. Just watching television or eating a family
meal will be valued and prioritized in everybody's schedules. Filipinos are
generous people. Even when we have very little, we always share with those
around us. During special occasions such as birthdays or "fiestas" - parties
when people from other places visit your home to celebrate with you - there
are lots of foods specially prepared for everyone! Friends, family, friends of
friends, and even strangers can gather and they are always willing to share
food and help out. When a neighbor is in trouble, Filipinos are always ready
to help them.

Culture as sociological perspective

From sociological standpoint, culture denotes acquired behaviors
and habits that are shared by and transmitted among groups of people as
a result of their interaction with one another. It is an accumulation that a
new generation inherits and a heritage into which a child is born
(“Sociology Guide”, 2005).

From the given

definition of culture from
sociological standpoint are
not just simply about
knowledge, belief, art, law,
morals, custom, and any
other capabilities and habits
acquired by man as a member of society but how a man shared or transmit
all of these to people or group of people across generations within societies
through interaction. Through interaction, culture can be learned, culture is
not innate in a person. It is also not biological in nature which means that it
is not something that is physically or genetically inherited. When a child is
born he/she does not have any cultural knowledge of any sort. Culture is
learned through families, peers, institutions, and media. For most people,
learning about culture is an unconscious process. A child growing up does
not choose what culture he/she wants to learn. Instead, the child acquires
patterns of behavior from his/her surroundings. For an instance, a child
may grow u eating with bare hands because that is customary or “normal”
to his/her region. Meanwhile, another child may grow up eating with spoon
and fork because that is what his/her parents do. We Filipinos loves to eat
with our bare hands.

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 LET’S SEE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

I. CULTURE AS ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Direction. Identify the culture you already that affects how you behave
collectively in a society you are a part of. Provide as many as you can.

THE FILIPINO CULTURE THAT AFFECTS HOW I BEHAVE IN A SOCIETY

I’M A PART OF

Knowledge Belief

Art Law

HUMAN

Morals Customary
Practices

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II. CULTURE AS SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Direction. Identify the culture you acquire as a result of your interaction

and socialization to people or group of people. Provide as many as you can.

THE CULTURE I LEARNED THROUGH INTERACTION WITH PEOPLE OR

GROUP OF PEOPLE I MET

Knowledge Belief

Art Law

HUMAN

Morals Customary
Practices

Why do you think culture said to be a complex whole?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.

14
 POST TEST Score: ____________

Read the following items carefully. Write the

letter of your answer on the space provided.

_____1. Which of the following definition of culture referred to as

anthropological perspective?

A. Culture as an organized body of conventional understandings

manifest in art which, persisting through tradition, characterizes a
human group
B. Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art,
law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired
by man as a member of society
C. Culture as the handiwork of man and the medium through which
he achieves his ends
D. Culture as the body of thought and knowledge, both theoretical
and practical, which only man can possess

_____2. It refers to firmly held opinion or conviction, regardless of the lack of

verifiable evidence that became a part of the culture within the society and
transferred from generations to generations.

A. Morals
B. Beliefs
C. Manners
D. Values

_____3. It pertains to facts, information, and skills acquired by a person

through experience or education.

A. Education
B. Training
C. Seminar
D. Knowledge

15
_____4. Which of the following reasons is CORRECT why culture described
as a complex whole according to E.B. Tylor?

A. Complex whole means that understanding of a part can only be

achieved in relation to the other parts of the system.
B. Complex whole means no culture can exist except as it is embodied
in a human society.
C. Complex whole means that one must always keep in mind the
interdependence and the reciprocal relationship between culture and
society.
D. Complex whole means that each is distinguishable concept in
which the pattern and organization of the whole is more important
than any of the component parts.

_____5. Which of the following choices below gives this definition of culture:
culture as “the handiwork of man and the medium through which he
achieves his ends”?

A. V. de Robert
B. E.B. Tylor
C. B. Malinowski
D. R. Redfield

_____6. Which of the following definition of culture referred to as sociological

perspective?

A. Culture as an organized body of conventional understandings

manifest in art which, persisting through tradition,
characterizes a human group
B. Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief,
art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits
acquired by man as a member of society
C. Culture as the handiwork of man and the medium through
which he achieves his ends
D. Culture denotes acquired behaviors and habits that are shared by
and transmitted among groups of people as a result of their
interaction with one another.

_____7. Which of the following definition gives the full essence of the concept
“culture”?

A. Culture as an organized body of conventional understandings

manifest in art which, persisting through tradition, characterizes a
human group

16
 B. Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art,
law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired
by man as a member of society
C. Culture as the handiwork of man and the medium through which
he achieves his ends
D. Culture as the body of thought and knowledge, both theoretical
and practical, which only man can possess

_____8. Which of the following refers to a lesson, especially one concerning

what is right or prudent, that can be derived from a story, a piece of
information, or an experience.

A. Moral
B. Wisdom
C. Knowledge
D. Manners

_____9. Which of the following choices pertains to an English anthropologist

who first coin the term “culture” in his book entitled Primitive Culture?

A. R. Redfiled
B. Auguste Comte
C. Edward B. Tylor
D. Karl Marx

_____10. It pertains to the various branches of creative activity, such as

painting, music, literature, and dance which became a part of the culture of
a particular society, community, tribes, or nation.

A. Art
B. Tradition
C. Belief
D. Customary Practices

17
 LET’S REMEMBER

Culture as anthropological perspective

knowledge
Culture is a way of life, all
capabilities
belief the things whether it be tangible or
/ habits
intangible that a man can acquired
and produced in his/her own
motherland is called culture. These
custom art are the factors that shaped and
affect people both socially and
culturally and gives identities to a
particular nation.
morals law

Culture as sociological perspective

From sociological
standpoint, culture denotes
acquired behaviors and habits that
are shared by and transmitted
among groups of people as a result
of their interaction with one
another. It is an accumulation that
a new generation inherits and a
heritage into which a child is born
(“Sociology Guide”, 2005).

18
 REFERENCES

Understanding Culture, Society, & Politics by Antonio P. Contreras, PhD,

Arleigh Ross D. Dela Cruz, PhD, Dennis S. Erasga, PhD, Cecile C. Fadrigon,
PhD Cand.

Society, Culture and Politics: An Introduction Text for Senior High School by
Maria Virginia G. Aguilar, Ph.D., Luis Carmelo L. Buenaventura, Ph.D.,
Josephine R. Lejos-Cruz, M.A., Ma. Melinda C. Santos-Delmonte, Llb

Understanding Culture, Society and Politics for Senior High School by

Ederlina D. Baleña, Dolores M. Lucero, Arnel M. Peralta

Praxis: Understanding Society, Culture and Politics for Senior High School
by Rhoderick V. Nuncio, PhD, Elizabeth Morales-Nuncio, PhD, Raychelle R.
Artuz, MA

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 This module maybe adopted, modified and
reproduced for educational purposes with appropriate
credit to the author.
For inquiries, feedback and suggestions, please
contact the author through the Division Learning
resource Supervisor at Tel. No. _________________ and/or
email address ________________ @deped.gov.ph

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