UNDERSTANDING THE SELF (UTS): THE SELF IN ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES | ASSIMILATION| ACCULTURATION

Summary

This lecture explores the self from an anthropological perspective, emphasizing how culture shapes human behavior and identity. It defines anthropology as the study of Homo sapiens, focusing on physical, cultural, and existential features. The lecture delves into the concept of culture as a system of human behavior and thought, influenced by factors like clothing, language, and religion. It discusses the material, cognitive, and normative components of culture and how they affect the self. The lecture also covers mechanisms of cultural change, including cultural lag, borrowing, assimilation, acculturation, and amalgamation, illustrating how these processes influence societal evolution and individual self-perception.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Anthropology is the study of humans, focusing on their physical, cultural, and existential features to understand humanity's place in the world.
• 🌐 Culture is defined as a system of human behavior and thoughts, significantly influencing how individuals perceive and interact with their environment.
• 👗 Material culture includes tangible items like clothing and utensils, which are inherited from previous generations and shape behaviors and societal norms.
• 💡 Cognitive culture encompasses ideas, knowledge, beliefs, values, and accounts that are internalized and passed down, influencing respect for elders and religious practices.
• 📚 Normative culture consists of social rules and norms, including both informal (fog ways) and formal (morse) standards that guide behavior in society.
• 🌱 Cultural change occurs through mechanisms like cultural lag, where societal practices evolve due to technological advancements and social needs.
• 🔄 Cultural borrowing is the adoption of cultural elements from other societies, such as dress codes and practices, which can lead to shifts in a society's culture.
• 🔀 Assimilation is the process where a new culture is embraced and replaces existing cultural practices, as seen in the adoption of the English alphabet in the Philippines.
• 🎭 Acculturation is the co-existence of a new culture with the existing one, where foreign influences are added without replacing traditional customs, like the adoption of Korean food alongside local cuisine.
• 🌟 Amalgamation is the complete blending of two cultures, resulting in a new cultural identity, often seen in multicultural households that merge different cultural practices.

Q & A

What are the three perspectives discussed in the course 'Understanding the Self'?

The three perspectives discussed are philosophical, sociological, and anthropological perspectives.

How is the 'self' viewed from a philosophical perspective?

From a philosophical perspective, the 'self' is associated with body and soul, or body and mind.

What role does the environment play in the development of the self according to sociological perspective?

In the sociological perspective, the environment is considered crucial in the development of the self.

What is the definition of anthropology as mentioned in the script?

Anthropology is defined as a science and philosophical description of the life form Homo sapiens, the thinking cell.

What are the focal points of anthropological study?

The focal points of anthropological study are the physical, cultural, and existential features of humans.

According to Eduardo, what is culture?

Culture is described as a system of human behavior and thoughts.

What are some examples of cultural influences that shape society?

Cultural influences include clothing, language, medical practices, religion, child-rearing methods, food, art, celebrations, and manners.

What is the material component of culture?

The material component of culture pertains to all tangible materials inherited from previous generations, such as clothing, utensils, and housing.

How is the cognitive component of culture divided?

The cognitive component is divided into ideas, knowledge and beliefs, values, and accounts.

What are the two types of social norms mentioned in the script?

The two types of social norms are 'folkways', which are informal norms, and 'mores', which are formal norms deemed necessary for the welfare of society.

What is cultural lag and how does it influence cultural change?

Cultural lag refers to the delay in social practices adapting to new conditions or innovations, leading to cultural change as societies adjust to new circumstances.

What is the difference between assimilation and acculturation in the context of cultural change?

Assimilation is the process of embracing a new culture and replacing the existing one, while acculturation is the process of embracing a new culture without replacing the existing one, allowing both to co-exist.

How does amalgamation contribute to cultural change?

Amalgamation is the social process where two cultures completely blend, leading to the birth of a new culture, usually when two cultures are equally familiar and influential.