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1. Understanding Culture,
Society, and Politics
Articulating Observations on Human
Cultural Variation, Social Differences, Social
Change, and Political Identities

2. Culture
Culture is a collection of learned behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs
that encompass both the material and non-material things which
are shared by all the members of a society.
Culture is an important element of a society as it provides a design
or pattern of living for every member of a society to be able to
communicate and cooperate effectively from one another.

3. Culture Variation
Humans around the world have been separated by geographical
barriers; thus, allowing the creation of societies with different cultures
and traditions which eventually result to cultural variation.
EXAMPLE
Western cultures perceive the color red as danger or stop
while Turks associate this color with death. On the other
hand, at the other side of the earth, the Chinese people
celebrate this color as symbols of fortune and luck.

4. Culture Variation
Key Elements of Culture
Symbols & Languages Values & Beliefs Norms
Religion Custom Law & Politics

5. Culture Variation: Symbols & Languages
Symbols and languages
(verbal or non-verbal)
represent the cultural reality
in one culture. Cultures use
symbols and languages to
communicate with one
another as well as to shape
the thoughts of the people.
EXAMPLE
The Navajo tribe in South
America uses one word for
green and blue. Hence, when
talking about each color, they
have to differentiate their tint
from one another. On the other
hand, English language has
different words for different
kinds of colors.

6. Culture Variation: Religion
Religion is an important element of a culture as it dictates the moral
beliefs of the people which guide their everyday lives. According to
Durkheim, without it, there would be no social order, social control,
and social cooperation.
EXAMPLE
Arab countries share a common religion which is Islam. This can be observed on
their way of living and in most of their laws which incorporate the Sharia law of
Islam. Although, there are now Arabs whole have different religion, Arab countries
are still dominated by Muslims.

7. Culture Variation: Values & Beliefs
Values and beliefs act as guidelines for the people in reference to what
is good, desirable, important, and worthwhile. When the people have
different values and beliefs, it can cause conflict as the people might
have incompatible goals or perception in life.
EXAMPLE
In one tribe in South America, the Sioux Indians, the people pride themselves
for being generous. Hence, they perceive other Americans' materialistic
values as selfish and anti-social.

8. Culture Variation: Values & Beliefs
NOTE
Take note that values and beliefs can be considered true by a culture
yet false by other culture or more specifically by scientific explanations.
EXAMPLE
Superstitious beliefs like black cats bring danger or a woman
who sings while cooking will become a widow has no logical and
scientific basis.

9. Culture Variation: Custom
A custom is a practice or a behavior that is common to a particular class
or group of people that it becomes an unwritten law followed in a
regular basis.
EXAMPLE
Among the Wolof tribe in Senegal, Africa, a women must first perform
the rite of jumping over a fire in four directions before she can sit down
on her bed. Then the midwife will hold the child out to the mother for
three times but will hand over the child only on the fourth time. This
custom is believed to prevent madness.

10. Culture Variation: Laws & Politics
Laws govern the everyday decision
making of the people as these can
either award them certain rights and
privileges or prevent them from doing
something or give them specific
obligation. Politics govern the people
depending on the characteristics of the
leader who will lead them. Those who
lead or in the top members of the
society have the power to influence
the actions and behaviors of the
majority.
EXAMPLE
Certain aboriginal groups in Australia,
Eskimos, and Caribou Indians practice
infanticide (the killing of infants) and
geronticide (the killing of old people). These
aboriginal groups practice these to reduce
population in times of famine when food is
scarce. On the other hand, many countries
have laws which are against the practice of
infanticide and geronticide. These laws
protect the lives of children and old people

11. Social Differences
Social Differences can be explained as the differences among
individuals on the basis of social characteristics and qualities. It is
important to understand the causes of social differences as this will
help us understand the social inequalities caused by denial,
marginalization, and alienation of a particular group of people which
we can observe in our communities and in other parts of the world.

12. Culture
Causes of Social Differences
Class Age Race
Ability/ Education Gender

13. Social Differences: Class
Most cultures and societies have classes which categorize people
according to their social or economic status.
EXAMPLE
In Hindu system, people are categorized under a caste system. One of the groups in the
system is known as the untouchables. The members of this group is considered unclean
and impure which place them at the bottom of the caste system and limited their
opportunities in life.

14. Social Differences: Age
The "age" of a person is usually associated with "maturity" and
"wisdom" by different cultures. Some perceive Older people as weak
while some perceive them as wise men of a community.
EXAMPLE
Older people are considered wiser by many societies and respected due to their
experiences. Most societies protect children as they are perceived weak and
innocent.

15. Social Differences: Race
Race comes from the idea that human beings are divided into distinct
groups which have certain shared and inherited physical and behavioral
characteristics. Most of the time, people classify people with their race
according to their skin colors.
EXAMPLE
American, Malay, Ethiopian / Black, Mongolian, and Caucasus

16. Social Differences: Ability/ Education
The education level of a person dictates how one will perceive oneself
in contrast to other members of the society. Moreover, the higher the
level of education of a person the more opportunities he or she usually
gets.
EXAMPLE
Most companies today require at least a college-level of education for
their applicants. The higher the level of education of a person, the
higher position he or she can get.

17. Social Differences: Gender
Gender is the attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that a
given culture associates with a person's biological
EXAMPLE
Men are thought to be good at Math while women are
not. Women are expected to be good at household
chores and cooking as they need to take care of their
families when they get married.