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.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Understanding the Self: Anthropological Perspective

The lecture begins by recapping previous discussions on the self from philosophical and sociological perspectives. It then introduces the topic of the self from an anthropological viewpoint. Anthropology is defined as the study of the human species, focusing on physical, cultural, and existential features. The lecturer emphasizes the importance of understanding the physical, cultural, and moral aspects of humans. The discussion then shifts to culture, defining it as a system of human behavior and thoughts, and highlighting how it influences human development. Examples of cultural expressions, such as dance and attire, are provided to illustrate the concept of culture and its impact on the self.

05:00

👕 Material Component of Culture

This section delves into the material component of culture, which includes tangible items inherited from previous generations. The lecturer uses examples such as traditional clothing and utensils to show how material culture influences behavior and identity. The Filipino culture's unique bamboo houses and the practice of using 'bharat saya' are highlighted as distinctive material aspects that contribute to the Filipino identity. The summary also includes a recap of the material component as tangible materials that shape cultural practices and behaviors.

10:03

🌐 Normative Component: Social Norms and Cultural Change

The lecture continues by discussing the normative component of culture, focusing on social norms and their classification into 'fog ways' (informal norms) and 'morse' (formal norms). Examples of social norms in the Philippines, such as conservative attitudes towards public displays of affection, are provided. The section also addresses the mechanisms of cultural change, including cultural lag, where societal practices evolve due to technological advancements or social needs. The impact of these changes on the self is also discussed, emphasizing how the self is shaped by the cultural context.

15:08

🌱 Mechanisms of Cultural Change

This part of the lecture explores the mechanisms of cultural change in more detail. It introduces the concepts of cultural borrowing, where one society adopts elements from another, and the influence of innovation on cultural practices. The discussion also covers the impact of cultural change on the self, including how it affects traditional roles and behaviors. The lecturer provides examples of how cultural change can lead to the adoption of new practices, such as the use of modern farming methods or the shift in gender roles within the household.

20:10

🌟 Assimilation, Acculturation, and Amalgamation

The final section of the lecture discusses three processes of cultural change: assimilation, acculturation, and amalgamation. Assimilation is described as the replacement of one culture with another, while acculturation involves the coexistence of a new culture with the existing one. Amalgamation is the complete blending of two cultures, resulting in a new cultural identity. The lecturer uses examples such as the adoption of the English alphabet in the Philippines and the current trend of adopting Korean food culture without replacing traditional Filipino dishes. The summary emphasizes how these processes influence the development of the self and shape cultural identity.

25:13

🌱 Custom, Beliefs, Traditions, and Their Impact on the Self

The concluding part of the lecture emphasizes the profound influence of customs, beliefs, traditions, and norms on an individual's self-perception and behavior. It discusses how these cultural elements dictate how people dress, interact, and eat, among other aspects of daily life. The summary highlights the importance of understanding these cultural components in shaping the self and the individual's worldview.

Keywords

💡Anthropology

Anthropology is defined as the science and philosophical description of the life form Homo sapiens, focusing on the study of human beings from both biological and cultural perspectives. In the video, anthropology is central to understanding the self from a holistic view, encompassing physical, cultural, and existential features. The script mentions that anthropologists study the science and history of Homo sapiens, which includes bodily characteristics, spiritual, psychic, and moral aspects.

💡Self

The 'self' in the context of the video refers to the individual's identity, which is shaped by various factors such as body, mind, environment, and culture. It is the subject of study in the course 'Understanding the Self,' with discussions spanning philosophical, sociological, and anthropological perspectives. The video emphasizes how the self is influenced by cultural components and how it perceives and interacts with the world based on its cultural upbringing.

💡Cultural Components

Cultural components are the tangible and intangible elements that make up a society's culture. The video outlines three main components: material, cognitive, and normative. Material components include physical objects inherited from previous generations, like clothing and utensils, which influence behavior and identity. Cognitive components consist of ideas, knowledge, beliefs, values, and accounts that shape a society's worldview. Normative components are the rules and norms that govern behavior within social groups.

💡Material Component

The material component refers to the physical or tangible aspects of culture that are passed down through generations. In the video, examples include traditional clothing like the 'bharat saya' and the use of bamboo in housing, which reflect cultural identity and influence behavior. These material aspects are directly linked to the development of the self, as they are a visible representation of one's culture and heritage.

💡Cognitive Component

The cognitive component encompasses the intangible aspects of culture such as ideas, knowledge, beliefs, values, and accounts. It is the mental framework through which individuals perceive and interpret the world. The video discusses how practices like showing respect to the elderly and religious observances are ingrained in the cognitive component, affecting how individuals think and behave.

💡Normative Component

Normative components are the rules and norms that dictate acceptable behavior within a society. The video explains that these norms can be formal or informal and are crucial in maintaining social order. Examples include conservative social norms in the Philippines against public displays of affection and the recent adoption of health protocols like wearing masks during the pandemic.

💡Cultural Change

Cultural change refers to the evolution of cultural practices and beliefs over time. The video discusses mechanisms of cultural change, such as cultural lag, where societal practices lag behind technological advancements, and cultural borrowing, where one society adopts elements from another. These changes impact the self by altering the cultural context in which individuals develop their identities.

💡Assimilation

Assimilation is the process where a culture adopts aspects of another culture to the extent that it replaces its own similar practices. In the video, it is illustrated by the adoption of the English alphabet over the traditional Filipino script, indicating a shift in cultural identity. This process changes the self by integrating new cultural elements into the existing cultural framework.

💡Acculturation

Acculturation is the process of embracing a new culture without necessarily replacing existing cultural practices. The video uses the example of Filipinos adopting foreign foods while still enjoying traditional dishes, showing that the self can incorporate new cultural elements alongside its own. This coexistence enriches the cultural identity without erasing the original culture.

💡Amalgamamation

Amalgamamation is the complete blending of two cultures, leading to the creation of a new cultural identity. The video describes it as occurring when two cultures are equally influential and merge to form something new. An example given is households that combine American and Filipino cultures, creating a unique blend that defines the self in a new way.

Highlights

The self is discussed from an anthropological perspective, focusing on the physical, cultural, and existential features of humans.

Anthropology is defined as the science and philosophical description of the life form Homo sapiens.

The study of anthropology encompasses the physical, spiritual, psychic, and moral characteristics of humans.

Culture is described as a system of human behavior and thoughts, greatly affecting human development.

Examples of cultural expressions include traditional dances, clothing, and social practices.

Cultural influences are seen in various aspects such as clothing, language, medical practices, and religion.

The material component of culture includes tangible materials inherited from previous generations.

Cognitive components consist of ideas, knowledge, beliefs, values, and accounts that shape human behavior.

Normative components are the rules and norms that govern societal behavior.

Social norms are classified into 'folkways' and 'mores', with folkways being informal and mores being formal.

Cultural change occurs due to societal evolution and can be influenced by factors like cultural lag and borrowing.

Assimilation is the process of embracing a new culture and integrating it with the existing one.

Acculturation involves embracing a new culture without necessarily replacing the existing one, allowing coexistence.

Amalgamation is the complete blending of two cultures, leading to the creation of a new cultural breed.

Customs, beliefs, traditions, values, and norms significantly affect an individual's self-perception and behavior.

The self perceives and judges things based on its own ideas, beliefs, and ways of life, influenced by cultural components.

Transcripts

so hello class

this is the third meeting

in our subject understanding the self

so let us have a little recap about our

previous discussion

so our first topic was the self in

philosophical perspectives then the

second one was the self

in sociological perspectives

then our third topic under our subject

understanding the self

is the self in anthropological

perspective

so in our first topic under

philosophical perspective the self was

associated with body and soul

body and mind in sociological

perspective

they consider the environment in the

development

of the cell and how about in

anthropological perspective so we will

know it

later

so first let us define what is

anthropology

anthropology is a science and

philosophical description of the life

form

homo sapiens the thinking cell so

anthropologists study about

the science and the history of homo

sapiens

we are the homo sapiens the thinking

the science of anthropology is the

trina humane nature includes the bodily

characteristics of human

as well as their spiritual psychic and

moral

so basically in the anthropological

study they study about the physical

the history the

nature of

so what is the focal point of

anthropology

you focus focal point is the focus

now anthology man

in the physical cultural and existential

features

with the purpose of gaining a deeper

understanding of

man's space in the world so the

focal point or the focus of anthropology

is knowing the physical the cultural

and the existential features of a mind

so here we're going to discuss about

culture because culture

is

greatly affects man culture greatly

affects

so first what is culture culture

is a system of human behavior and

thoughts

that's according to anthropologist

eduardo

so we can see in the pictures on the

upper picture

that is the culture of mexico dancing

like that with that kind of outfits

this is not that is a culture of mexico

how about the picture below that is the

culture of

filipino that

to consider in culture so in the first

picture

cultural influences that shapes

the south so in the future

we can see that culture

has a lot of factors

closely dressing working schedule

language medical cure religion

child reading method food for art

celebrations jokes manners and many more

so first let us see clothes we can

say that the culture of filipino and the

culture of chinese and other nations

differ

but

is from mondays to saturday so some

culture some nations um don't exercise

that kind of thing

so spain they have this shiesta which is

actually

we also adopted it during

lunch break

language we differ in language

medical cure in chinese culture

they believe in herbal medicines

religions

and many more

so the first component

that influences the self is the material

component

material component pertains to all

tangible materials

that are inherited from the previous

generation

this is the most obvious component

because of its

physical nature

material components

as you can see in the pictures here

[Music]

is

because for example the way we dress

the way we dress before is the bharat

saya

so because we were

the clothing that we were used to

are like that it influences our behavior

that behavior is we are conservative

conservative because of the way they

dress

what else some utensils

the kitchen it affected us in a way

how we cook our food

yeah so among the material components

so these are my examples because i

believe that this is

these are the unique materials

from previous generations

you see i believe that filipino holistic

team

and the uniqueness of bamboo houses

makes us stand out from other

nations or culture and also the chief me

i believe that filipino

so that is the material component so let

us have a recap

material component are tangible

materials

the next component is the cognitive

component

cognitive component are divided into

ideas

knowledge and beliefs values and

accounts

so the cognitive components ayumanga

panini wala

that is a sign of respect to our elderly

we inculcated in ourselves the

value of respect to elders

other nations don't have that kind of

practice

they don't have the idea of respect to

the authority

and also here we

are very religious because of these

practices especially during

holy week and other

events or celebrations

or

so the next component is the normative

component of the normative component

these are the um

societies rules and

norms so what is social norms

social norms are the accepted standard

of

behavior of social groups sub-headings

this group range from friendship

and work groups to nation states

somalian social norms

we we tend to follow different social

norms

so social norms

is classified into two the fog way and

the morse

so what is fogway fog ways

are the general rules of customary

and habitual ways and patterns of

expected behavior in society

so these are also called informal norms

standard

[Music]

[Music]

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so here in the philippines um we are

conservative nation in the philippines

we don't really exercise the

public display of affection

they can do that they can kiss their

partners in public

it is not yet um accepted by the society

that's why we are

as conservative nations or people

uh

deemed necessary for the welfare of the

society

associated

[Music]

recently because of the pandemic there

are a lot of

executive orders ordinances regarding

the using

of must and face shields

for example

you are not allowed to enter the public

market if you are not using fleece

shield and face

mask so that is an example of morse you

say

we are not just protecting ourselves but

we do that to protect other people

because of the

pandemic

component

the material component the cognitive

component

and the normative component these

components directly affects the

development of the self

yes so

let us now proceed to the mechanism of

cultural change

cultural change happens because no

society

is in constant state

society stagnant or

hindi nagi

society continuously evolves from one

period of time to

another the first

mechanism for cultural change is

cultural lag

one must take into account both a social

need

and the cultural goal as mentioned above

every culture agricultural goal is

anchored so on

social needs

because of the so-called social lag

social lag or the practices

they used animals in cultivating plants

fields in agriculture but then

innovation happened technological

improvement happen

animals are no longer used in

cultivating

fields

and many other things

what else the use of bharat saya

so because of many other factors

and many more

yes

before

they stay at home to cook to clean the

house

to take care of the kids so yan young

practice no on that is the culture

before

but then again because of cultural

change

that practice um

widely

done

or many other professions so i am

because of innovation advancement

and cultural lack

the next one that influences the

cultural change

is the cultural borrowing it is a

situation

where one society borrows the culture of

another society

and uses it as no part of

the culture

we borrowed the culture

dress codenam western countries

like wearing jeans wearing sneakers

wearing t-shirts

and coloring our hair

so um i'm going to give you another

slide

the view in connection to our discussion

um about cultural change

so can you see so in cultural change

there are three other things that

happens

assimilation accuration

in assimilation is the process of

embracing a new culture and regarding

the same

as part of the existing culture if there

is

any similar culture that tends to

overlap with the newly introduced

culture

such all is being replaced with a new

one so we call assimilation

in connection

[Music]

replace the dress the dress code of

filipino

he replaced nathan and filipino alphabet

with english alphabet

the abcdefg et cetera

so that practice is called assimilation

another one is the acculturation

is the process of embracing the new

culture

what this new culture does not

necessarily

replace the existing

the latter continues sexist and in most

instances

it co-exists with the new culture

an acculturation man we borrow culture

but

we don't replace our culture with that

kind of culture

we just add it to our culture

one does not replace the other example

is the adoption of foreign food

by the filipinos who continue to love

filipino foods so

um right now diba we are exercising the

acculturation by

means of adopting the korean

style of eating

[Music]

is a culture of

koreans so in adapting

but we are not replacing our adobo and

sinigang with samyaksan

they co-exist and

with the milky we don't replace our

sagat gulaman

with the filthy they still coexist with

each other

that is a true ratio but in a simulation

we replace that

[Music]

we exercise assimilation with the milk

tea

milk

salad

what is amalgamation

social process of culture pertains to

the complete blending of two cultures

which leads to the birth of the new

breed of culture

this usually happens when two cultures

are equally familiar and influential to

the point that both culture are merged

creating something new so in the

amalgamation process

there are two different nationalities

that married

marries each other so humana feel um

households they adapt both

cultures the american culture and the

filipino culture

in one household that is amalgamation so

the culture that produces infill

um households and an amalgamation

customs beliefs traditions values and

norms

defines the characteristic of person

self behavior and actions the self

perceives things and judges them based

on his own ideas and beliefs

or ways of life one disgrace

so here it says that the custom beliefs

traditions values and norms greatly

affects the way

the self or us as a person decides

how we dress how we interact with other

people

and many other things how we eat

of course so i am that is our lesson for

today

the sun