2. Cultural, Social, Political and
Economic Symbols and Practices
Symbol is an object, word, or action that stands for something else,
without natural relationship, that is culturally defined. Symbols such
as gestures, signs, objects, signals, and words, help people understand
the world. Symbols provide clues to understanding experiences. They
relay recognizable meanings that are shared by societies. Symbolism,
on the other hand, is when something represents abstract ideas or
concepts; it assigns names, denominations, and defines relations
between various elements (actors, actions, goals, means, objects,
values, etc.) articulated within a narrative.
4. Types of Symbols
Cultural Symbols – manifestation that signifies ideology of a
particular culture that has meaning within that culture.
Social symbols – relating to human societies and its modes of
organization (i.e., social classes, social problems, social issues,
etc.)
Political symbols – used to represent a political standpoint;
seen in various media and forms such as banners, flag, motto,
etc.
Economic symbols – used in production, distribution, and
consumption of goods and services like currency, market, labor,
demands and other economic activities.
Cultural Practices are the manifestation of a culture or sub-culture,
especially concerning the traditional and customary practices of a
particular ethnic or other cultural group. Examples: religious and spiritual,
medical treatment, forms of artistic expressions, culinary, housing and
5. Examples of Cultural
Practices in the Philippines
Traditional Medical Practices- belief in “albularyo”, herbal
medicines, alternative
medicines, and other home remedies.
Religious/ Spiritual Practices – Obando Festival in Bulacan
for fertility, Panaad sa Camiguin as act of penance and
pilgrim. Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila, etc.
Culinary Practices- Rice 3 meals a day, Adobo, Sinigang,
street foods, Balut, rice cakes, etc. Child- rearing Practices-
respectful (used of the words mano, po at opo ), obedience to
parents and elders, no talking back to elders, removing
footwear before entering the house, family mealtime,
ninong/ninang, ate/kuya, punishment using belt/tsinelas.
6. 6
POLITICAL
SYMBOL AND
PRACTICES
POLITICAL
SYMBOL AND
PRACTICES
The artifacts or objectifications of different political meanings
especially related to power. Political symbols are usually used to
embody an ideology, an advocacy, or a group of people with
same principles. Political practices are common things that are
done within a state or country. It is related to the practices done in
the administration, distribution and attainment of power,
bureaucratic composition, etc.
7. POLITICAL PRACTICES IN THE PHILIPPINES
it is the concentration,
consolidation or perpetuation of
public office and political power
by persons related to one
another.
POLITICAL
DYNASTY
refers to a system of getting an
advantage when having or knowing
someone powerful from the office that
can recommend you. This usually
happens within government offices.
PALAKASAN
SYSTEM
The church always intervene to
government policies like divorce
and reproductive health
CHURCH
INFLUENCE
Celebrities or shobiz personalities trying
their luck in politics. Examples are;
ERAP, Tito Sotto and many more.
CELEBRITIES TURN
POLITICIANS
01
03
02
04
8. ECONOMIC SYMBOL
This represents
economic standpoint. It can
be seen in various media
such as Stock Exchange,
Money, and Currency, Gold
and Petroleum, Life
Insurance, Banking, etc.
EXAMPLES
New
Zealand $ New Zealand
dollar
Philippines ₱ Philippine peso
South
Korea ₩ South Korean
won
Thailand ฿ Thai baht
9. PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC
PRACTICES
In terms of savings, one of the traditional way of
saving money in Filipino is using “alkansya”. It is where
they Filipino use bamboo as a vault to their money until
it becomes full and ready to be withdrawn by its owner.
Another way of economic practice of Filipino is
“paluwagan”. It is a group savings where group of people
agrees to give money to a money manager who is also
part of this group and manages the money. The money
will cycle throughout the group.
11. Socialization
Socialization refers to the coaching of novices to
end up contributors of a current crew and to think,
feel, and act in approaches the team considers
appropriate. Socialization is a central process in
social life. Its importance has been noted by
sociologists for a long time, but their image of it has
shifted over the last hundred years.
Socialization is learning on how our society and
specific communities, or groups works so we can be
a part of them. It’s a process of working together in
developing responsibility in our community. Individual
learns to conform to the norms and values in a group
and develops his/her own self by learning and
knowing about his/her own self from the others.
Socialization focuses on the following.
1. Acquisition of Knowledge
2. Language
3. Values
4. Habits
5. Skill in the Society
12. When an individual moves to a new group, he has
to learn the new values and beliefs of the new
group. This process of re-socialization helps him to
get used to the new ways of life.
This process of socialization occurs during the
early years of an individual's life. It develops his
skills and attitudes for the future and prepares him
for the various roles and responsibilities that he
will assume as an adult.
TYPES OF SOCIALIZATION
PRIMARY
SOCIALIZATIO
N
occurs early in a child’s lifestyle and is
primarily due to have an impact directly
from the family and close friends.
Through fundamental socialization, a
baby learns basic societal norms and
customs. Example Mano or
pagmamano as an "honoring-gesture"
to the elders.
SECONDARY
SOCIALIZATIO
N
occurs when a person learns
on appropriate behavior to
be displayed within a smaller
group which still part of a
larger society. Example
joining a club or organization
in college, getting employed
in a new workplace.
ANTICIPATORY
SOCIALIZATIO
N
Adolescence is initiated between
the ages of childhood and
adulthood. During this stage,
children start to participate in
Anticipatory Socialization. They
also learn about their group
culture and what they should
expect in the future.
DEVELOPMENT
AL
SOCIALIZATIO
N
RE -
SOCIALIZATION
13. THREE PARTS OF SOCIALIZATION
Context- denotes
culture, language,
social structures,
and the individual’s
rank within them. It
includes the history
and roles played by
the people and
institutions in the
past.
Content and Process-
the work or activity in
socialization. Content refers
to the details of what passed
from a member to a new
member. While process
means the interactions and
ways these new norms, values
and customs are thought to a
novice.
Results and
Outcomes -refers to
what happens to an
individual after being
exposed to a
particular contents
and process.
13
14. CONTEXT OF SOCIALZIATION
Biological Context- Sociobiologist suggest that
some human capacities may be "wired into" our
biological makeup. Some hormones (i.e. vasopressin
and oxytocin) encourage human to interact and
socialize with other people.
Psychological Context- composed of (1) emotional
states and unconsciousness
(2) cognitive theories of development (3) social and
historical events (4) social position as part of the
context
15. Socialization is also known as enculturation.
Enculturation occurs when cultural knowledge is passed
on to the next bearer which will perpetuate and ensure
the continuance of their traditions and practices
(Santarita and Madrid, 2016).
For an individual to become a member of a society
he/she must go through these two processes:
socialization / enculturation. For instance, act of courtesy
and
hospitality of Filipinos are acquired through socialization
because these two learned with their nearest group like
family and friends. On the other hand, enculturation
takes place when one culture or tradition is adopted.
16. Overall enculturation and socialization process results to:
Identity formation – An individual’s identity is formed through his
interaction with other people. A person’s socialization with individuals or groups
allows him or her to imbibe certain characteristics and interests that contribute
to his/her identity. (Idea derived from Newman, 2012). For example, the centuries
of Philippine Chinese expose to Filipino culture made them imbibe facets of
Filipino character in the same way Filipinos learned to love Chinese culture like
food (e.g. preference for noodle-based cuisine like pancit).
Norms and values – On the other hand, norms are culturally determined rules
that guide people regarding what is right, wrong, proper, or improper. Norms
create predictability in daily affairs and interactions, making it easier to live with
other members of society (Newman, 2012). These norms are fundamental to the
establishment of social order in any society (Newman, 2012).
Status – position that an individual can occupy in society (Newman, 2012). It
is not ranked position, but simply a label that implies certain roles that must be
performed.
17. 2 Types of Status
Achieved status is one that a person has
earned or chosen based on his/her abilities and
hard work. This is usually signified by a certain
profession, such as a professional athlete.
Ascribed status is not earned, and it is not
something that people have control over. For
instance, it can be ascribed to a person's race or
sex. Also, it is not usually a choice in most matters.
19. CONFORMITY
Conformity refers to behaviour in accordance with socially
accepted conventions or standards. Deviance, on the other
hand, describes an action or behaviour that violates social
norms.
20. ● A social group is two or more people who identify with and engage with each other
(Macionis 2012). As an individual, you may be a member of a religious group, an ethnic
group, a working colleague group, a college class, a sports team, and so on. These are also
referred to as social groups.
● A social group is distinct from an aggregate, which consists of people who are
temporarily grouped together in an area, perhaps even performing the same things, but do
not consider themselves to be members of the same group. For example, being in a busy
shop or waiting in line for a movie does not make you feel like you belong with the people
doing the same thing. A category and a group are not the same thing. You may share
comparable qualities, such as age or height, yet you may not interact or experience a
feeling of belonging if you are in the same category as someone.
What is Social Group?
21. ● Primary and Secondary Groups
● The difference between primary and secondary groups lies in the kinds of relationships their members have
with one another.
● Primary groups involve interaction among members who have an emotional investment or attachment in one
another and a situation, who know one another
●
intimately and interact as total individuals rather than through specialized roles. They are smaller in number and
occur over a long time. Examples of relationships under the primary group are between friends, husband and wife,
parent and child, and teacher and pupil. On the other hand, sample groups under primary groups include
playgroup, family, village/neighborhood, and work team.
● Secondary groups usually have specific goals, are formally organized, and are impersonal. They tend to be
larger than the primary group, and its members do not necessarily interact with all other members. Examples of
relationships under the secondary group are between clerk and customer, announcer and listener, performer and
spectator, and officer and subordinate. On the other hand, sample groups under the second group include nation,
clerical hierarchy, professional association, and corporation.
Types of Groups according to
Influence
22. ● A reference group is a group or social category that an individual uses to help
define beliefs, attitudes, and values and to guide behaviour. It is often a category
we identify with, rather than a specific group we belong to. In addition, they
provide a comparison against which people measure themselves and others.
● Positive reference groups are composed of people we want to emulate.
● Negative reference groups, on the other hand, provide a model we do not wish to
follow.
Reference Groups
Types of Reference Groups
● A normative referencegroupinfluences your norms, attitudes, and values
through direct interaction.
● A comparative reference groupis a group of individuals whom you compare
yourself against and may strive to be like.
23. ● A social network is a sociological concept that refers to the social relationships that
exist between network parts and individuals. In an organization, network elements
can include social groups or teams, organizational units, or entire organizations.
Social Network
Social Network in Practice
● All our functions at work and in private take place in some social networks. Every
social network is about relations that include social interaction and social
communication. We can easily describe, map, and analyze social networks through
social network analysis and sociometry. The basic types of social networks in the
organization are formal organizational structure, and informal organizational
structure. The social network in the organization forms an informal organizational
structure. Its influence on the events and decision-making in the organization is
greater in less authoritative management styles and types of the organizations. Often
in practice, the informal organizational structure is more influential on what is
happening in the organization than the formal organizational structure.
