Sociology is the scientific study of human society and social interaction. Anthropology is the study of human culture and how it impacts human behavior. Political science analyzes systems of governance and power dynamics within societies. These three disciplines represent three facets of understanding society: through social forces (sociology), cultural practices and traditions (anthropology), and asymmetric power distributions and political institutions (political science). They provide complementary perspectives for comprehending human groups and behavior.

1. UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY
AND POLITICS
Prepared by: Ms. Cherrylyn T. MAGANO, LPT.

2. JUMBLED LETTERS
POLOYANGORTH
CILOGYSOO
CALIPOSCITIELNCE
SCPOLTII
ULTUCRE

3. LESSON 1: The Disciplines of
Sociology, Anthropology, and
Political Science

4. What is culture?
Culture is generally defined as the sum of an individual’s way of life,
ranging from the food he or she eats, the clothes he or she wears, and
the house where he or she lives. Non-material things are the norms and
values as well as the intangible aspects of his or her existence: music, dance,
poetry, and other forms of expressions that showcase his or her creativity and
artistry.

5. What is society?
 Society is generally defined as an organized group or groups of
interdependent people who share a common territory, language, and culture,
and who act together for collective survival well-being. They are also bound
together by a general sense of common identity and pride of place. (Haviland,
et. al:312)

6. What is politics?
• Politics “refers to the theory, art and practice of government.” The political
institutions is a relatively stable cluster of statuses, general norms and role
behavior, which are involved in the acquisition and exercise of power and
decision-making in society. (Turner:215)
• These aforementioned concepts- culture, society, and politics- are essential in
understanding human behavior and social groups. They are interrelated and
to some extent reflective of each other.

7. Definition and History of the
Discipline Sociology,
Anthropology and Political
Science

8. What is Sociology,
Anthropology and Political
Science?

9. The study of society can be accomplished in 3 different ways:
1. By mapping the social forces impinging on social actors as
their loves intersect in society.
2. By rehearsing the structures and components of cultural
practices and traditions.
3. By exposing the asymmetrical power distributions among
members of social communities and organizations.

10. Anthropology
The scientific study of humans and human behaviour and societies in the past and present.
The science that deals with the origins, physical and cultural development, biological
characteristics and social customs and beliefs of humankind.
is the study of human beings in their ancestors. Historically, the discipline traces its roots to philosophy, world
travel(especially among the Europeans), and scholar who studied preliterate peoples and evolutionary
thoughts (Whitten and Hunter:3)
It produces knowledge about what makes people different from one another and what they all share in
common.

11. Sociology
The science that deals with the origins, physical and cultural development, biological characteristics, and
social customs and beliefs of humankind.
Sociology is considered as the science of society and social behavior which viewed as an aggregate of individuals
(Robertson:5).It deals with social development in general and describes and analyzes social life I all its phases and
complexities.
It is also considered as the science of the origin, development, structure, and functions of social groups. These includes the
laws, customs, constitutions, modes of life and contribution of social groups to human culture and civilization.
Is the study of society, patterns of social relationships, social interaction and culture of everyday life.

12. SOCIOLOGY
A Social Science that studies the functionality of human society including origins, development and organization.
Also attributes inside institutions and organizations.
ANTHROPOLOGY
A Social Science that is concerned with human culture as well as the physical and social characteristics that
create the culture. Often compare one group of humans to another, or humans compared with animals.

13. SOCIOLOGY
CONCENTRATES ON SOCIETY
ANTHROPOLOGY
CONCENTRATES ON CULTURE

14. POLITICAL SCIENCE
 A Social Science which deals with systems of governance, and the analysis of political activities,
political thoughts, and political behaviour.
is the body of knowledge relating to the study of the state of government. It primarily focuses on the power
that plays a crucial part in the struggle in which the individual and their groups may be found involved
according to their capability and degree of interests at all levels- local, regional, national and international
(Sharma and Sharma:6)
 A Social Science dealing with political institutions and with the principles and conduct of
government.

15. Merging point of the sociological, anthropological
and political relations.

16. Other Social Sciences

17. Archaeology
 is the study of the human past using material remains. These remains can be
any object that people created, modified, or used. Portable remains are
usually called artifacts.
 Artifacts include tools, clothing, and decorations. (National Geographic
Society, n.d.)

18. Economics
 the branch of knowledge concerned with the production, consumption, and
transfer of wealth. (Oxford Languages, n.d.)

19. Geography
 is the study of places and the relationships between people and their
environments. Geographers explore both the physical properties of Earth's
surface and the human societies spread across it. (National Geographic
Society, n.d.)

20. History
 the study of past events, particularly in human affairs. (Oxford Languages,
n.d.)

21. Law
 the system of rules which a particular country or community recognizes as
regulating the actions of its members and which it may enforce by the
imposition of penalties. (Oxford Languages, n.d.)

22. Linguistics
 the scientific study of language and its structure, including the study of
morphology, syntax, phonetics, and semantics.Specific branches of linguistics
include sociolinguistics, dialectology, psycholinguistics, computational
linguistics, historical- comparative linguistics, and applied linguistics(Oxford
Languages, n.d.).

23. Psychology
 is the scientific study of the mind and behavior, according to the American
Psychological Association. Psychology is a multifaceted discipline and
includes many sub-fields of study such areas as human development, sports,
health, clinical, social behavior and cognitive processes. (Simply Psychology,
n.d.)

24. The Social Sciences and the Three Facets of the Social
Science

25. Society:
a. Social - actions and interactions
b. Cultural - practices and traditions
c. Political - power relations

26. THEORY

28. Ralf Dahrendorf
is a concept of society in which the absence of conflict if seen as the
equilibrium state of society based on the general or widespread
agreement among all the members of a particular society.

30. Emphasizes the dominance of some social groups by other, see social
order as based on manipulation and control by dominant groups and
in a disorderly fashion as subordinate groups overthrow dominant
group.
Conflict theorist examine conflict of interest and the coercion that
hold the society together in the face of these stresses.

31. In reality, Conflict theory contributes to the unequal distribution of
people into jobs in society so that more powerful members of the
society maintain the best position and the less powerful group(often
women, racial and ethnic group) often minority groups are allocated
into lower ranks in society.

32. CONSENSUS
A general or widespread agreement among all members of particular society.
CONFLICT
A clash between ideas principles and people.

33. FUNCTIONALIST THEORY IN SOCIAL
DIMENSIONS

34. Structural Functionalism
- Talcott Parson
- A theory which believes that society is made of institutions working
together in cooperation.
• Structure- The society is made up of system/s
• Function- We act and perform our roles based on these/this system/s.
• Results- Interdependence, Cooperation, Equilibrium, CONSENSUS.

35. INTERACTIONALIST THEORIES IN SOCIAL
DIMENSIONS

36. Symbolic Interactionism
 Charles Cooley
 A theory which believes that people in the society must take others into consideration
and decide if and how to fit their activities to others.
 Interactions involve thinking because it will define who you are.
 You cautiously act and speak to be “in”
 The “looking glass self” – We see ourselves as others see us.
Ex. Kissing – means to show affection
 You won’t kiss everybody in the lips to show affection. You will think as much before
you kiss anyone.

37. Non- Symbolic Internationalism
 Mead
 A theory which believes that we learn things by observing how other
people respond to them, that is through social interaction.
 Communication w/out the use of higher thinking.
Ex. Shaking of hands- Agreement without further thinking.