An Anthropological Conceptualization of Self The Self as Embedded in Culture.

Summary

This script delves into anthropology's role in understanding the self, emphasizing the interplay between culture and self-identity. It explores the cultural construction of the self and social identity, highlighting the egocentric and sociocentric views of identity. The identity toolbox and the concept of rites of passage are discussed to illustrate how individuals navigate identity struggles. Anthropologists like Edward Tylor and Clifford Geertz contribute to the discourse, suggesting that culture is integral to human identity, with individuals being both shaped by and shaping their cultural context.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Anthropology explores the complex interplay between culture and the self, aiming to understand how cultural and biological processes shape human experience.
• 📚 The field provides insight into the nature of 'self', emphasizing the importance of cultural construction in forming self and social identity.
• 🌐 Culture encompasses attitudes, beliefs, language, customs, rituals, behavior, faith, religion, food, drama, and art, all of which influence human behavior and identity.
• 🧬 Anthropology views human experience as a combination of nature (genetic inheritance) and nurture (social and cultural environment).
• 🌱 Edward Tylor defined culture as a complex whole including knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, law, customs, and other capabilities acquired by man as a member of society.
• 🌐 The concept of 'self' is considered a universal human attribute, necessary to understand in relation to culture, and is seen as complementary to the concept of culture.
• 🔍 Identity is viewed from two perspectives: egocentric (individualistic and autonomous) and sociocentric (socially oriented and group-dependent), influencing how individuals perceive themselves.
• 🧰 The 'identity toolbox' refers to the features of a person's identity that they choose to emphasize, influenced by social situations and cultural contexts.
• 🌐 Personal names are significant markers of identity across cultures, differentiating individuals and often carrying cultural or familial significance.
• 🔄 Identity struggles occur when there's a discrepancy between the identity a person claims and the identity others attribute to them, often leading to a journey of self-discovery and adaptation.
• 🌀 The self is deeply embedded in culture, with societal environments closely influencing individual identities, suggesting a strong interdependence between personal identity and cultural norms.

Q & A

What does anthropology contribute to the understanding of the self?

Anthropology contributes to the understanding of the self by exploring the interplay between cultural and biological processes that shape human experience, focusing on how cultural elements such as attitudes, beliefs, language, customs, rituals, behavior, faith, religion, food, drama, and art influence the individual.

How are culture and self considered complementary concepts in anthropology?

In anthropology, culture and self are seen as complementary concepts because they are interdependent and influence each other. Culture provides the context in which personal identities are shaped and defined, while the self is the individual's sense of identity that is closely intertwined with and influenced by cultural norms, values, and practices.

What is the cultural construction of self and social identity?

The cultural construction of self and social identity refers to the process by which an individual's sense of self and belonging to a social group is formed and maintained through cultural norms, values, and practices. This includes the roles, behaviors, and characteristics that are considered appropriate or desirable within a specific cultural context.

What is the concept of identity struggle in anthropology?

Identity struggle in anthropology refers to the tension or conflict that arises when there is a discrepancy between the identity a person claims to possess and the identity attributed to them by others. This can involve challenges in adapting to new environments, forming new relationships, and defining personal values.

How does the anthropological perspective view human experience?

The anthropological perspective views human experience as an interplay of nature (genetic inheritance setting individual potential) and nurture (the social and cultural environment). It emphasizes the holistic understanding of human beings, considering both biological and cultural factors that contribute to their experiences.

What is the definition of culture according to Edward Tylor?

Edward Tylor, a British anthropologist, defined culture as 'that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.'

Why is the concept of self considered a necessary supplement to the concept of culture in anthropology?

The concept of self is considered a necessary supplement to the concept of culture in anthropology because it helps to understand how individuals perceive and express their identity within a cultural context. It is essential for comprehending the interplay between personal identity and cultural influences.

What are the differences between egocentric and sociocentric views of the self?

The egocentric view of the self emphasizes the individual as autonomous and distinct, focusing on personal wants and needs without considering others. In contrast, the sociocentric view of the self is contingent on social situations or settings, prioritizing one's social group, culture, and the interdependence with others over individual independence.

What is the identity toolbox and how does it relate to constructing a social self?

The identity toolbox refers to the various features of a person's identity that they choose to emphasize when constructing their social self. It includes aspects such as similarities and differences, priorities, and social situations. The egocentric self might prioritize uniqueness, while the sociocentric self focuses on group identity and cultural practices.

How do rites of passage mark changes in one's status and identity?

Rites of passage mark changes in one's status and identity through three phases: separation, liminality, and incorporation. Separation involves detaching from a former identity, liminality is the transition phase, and incorporation is when the new identity is officially accepted and integrated.

What is the concept of self-embedded culture and how does it impact an individual's identity?

Self-embedded culture refers to a societal environment where individual identities are closely intertwined with and influenced by cultural norms, values, and practices. In such cultures, personal identities are often shaped and defined by a larger cultural context, which can impact behavior, beliefs, and social interactions, creating a strong sense of identity and belonging but also challenges due to cultural expectations and norms.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Anthropology and the Self in Culture

This paragraph introduces the concept of self as understood through an anthropological lens, emphasizing the interplay between culture and the individual. It discusses how anthropology contributes to the understanding of the self by exploring the cultural construction of identity and social identity. The paragraph also touches on the idea of identity struggle and the importance of situating one's sense of self within multicultural and dynamic contexts. Anthropology is portrayed as a discipline that bridges the sciences and humanities, with a focus on the interaction between cultural and biological processes in shaping human experience. Key anthropologists like Edward Tylor and Martin Sufi are mentioned for their contributions to defining culture and the concept of self.

05:05

🌏 Perspectives on Self and Identity

Paragraph 2 delves into the different views of self within various cultures, highlighting the egocentric and sociocentric perspectives. The egocentric view is characterized by individual autonomy and distinctness, exemplified by Americans' emphasis on assertiveness and independence. Conversely, the sociocentric view focuses on the individual's identity being contingent on their social group, as seen in Chinese culture's prioritization of harmony and cooperation. The paragraph also introduces the concept of the 'identity toolbox,' which refers to the features of a person's identity that they choose to emphasize. It discusses how personal names serve as markers of identity across cultures, with examples from Native Americans, Arctic Canada, and the Philippines. The narrative concludes with a discussion on rites of passage, which are significant in marking changes in status and identity.

10:08

🎓 Identity Struggles and Cultural Transitions

This paragraph explores the concept of identity struggles, which occur when there is a discrepancy between the identity a person claims and the identity others attribute to them. It uses the example of an individual resigning from a long-term job to illustrate the separation phase, where one detaches from a previous identity. The liminality phase is represented by a person in transition, such as during a vacation, while the incorporation phase is exemplified by individuals integrating new skills into their professional practices. The paragraph also discusses how identity struggles are common during significant life transitions, such as moving from high school to college, and the importance of overcoming obstacles to achieve self-identification.

15:09

🌱 The Self Embedded in Culture

Paragraph 4 discusses the concept of the self being embedded in culture, where individual identities are closely intertwined with and influenced by cultural norms, values, and practices. It highlights how personal identities are often shaped and defined by the larger cultural context, which can impact behavior, beliefs, and social interactions. The paragraph introduces the work of anthropologist Clifford Geertz, who offers a symbolic interpretative model of culture, emphasizing the importance of meaning and interpretation in human culture. It also references Max Weber's view of humans as animals suspended in webs of significance, suggesting that culture is essential for human existence and identity. The mutual influence and dependence between individuals and their cultural context are underscored, highlighting the inseparable connection between the two.

20:11

🌟 Culture and the Human Experience

The final paragraph reinforces the idea that culture is indispensable for the existence and identity of individuals. It describes humans as 'cultural animals' who create meanings and behave according to those meanings. The paragraph emphasizes that without culture, individuals might lack the shared meanings and norms that shape their identity. It suggests that culture provides the framework through which individuals understand themselves, relate to others, and make sense of the world. The mutual influence and dependence between individuals and their cultural context are reiterated, emphasizing the importance of culture in shaping human experience and identity.

Keywords

💡Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures and their development. In the video, it is presented as a discipline that explores the complex interplay between culture and the self, aiming to understand how cultural and biological processes interact to shape human experience. The script mentions that anthropology encroaches on both the sciences and humanities, indicating its holistic approach to understanding human beings.

💡Self

The 'self' refers to an individual's identity, consciousness, and sense of being. The video discusses the self as embedded in culture, suggesting that an individual's identity is shaped by cultural norms, values, and practices. It is highlighted that the self is not just a biological entity but also a cultural construct, with the video emphasizing the importance of understanding the self in the context of multicultural and dynamic situations.

💡Culture

Culture, as defined in the script, includes knowledge, belief, art, moral law, custom, and other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. It is portrayed as a complex rule that influences human behavior and experience. The video underscores the idea that culture is not static but is continuously evolving and influencing the self and social identity.

💡Identity

Identity in the video is discussed as a multifaceted construct that includes an individual's sense of self in relation to their social group and personal characteristics. It is highlighted that identity is not fixed but is fluid and can change over time. The video mentions the concept of identity struggle, which occurs when there is a discrepancy between the identity a person claims and the identity attributed by others.

💡Egocentric view

The egocentric view is presented as a perspective where the self is seen as an autonomous and distinct individual. In the context of the video, it is contrasted with the sociocentric view, with examples given such as Americans who are portrayed as egocentric, valuing assertiveness and independence. This view is discussed in relation to how individuals construct their social self.

💡Sociocentric view

The sociocentric view is described as a perspective where the self is contingent on social situations or settings, with a focus on one's own social group and culture. The video uses the Chinese and Japanese as examples of cultures that prioritize a sociocentric view, emphasizing interdependence and group harmony over individual independence.

💡Identity toolbox

The identity toolbox refers to the various features of a person's identity that they choose to emphasize when constructing their social self. The video explains that individuals use similarities and differences, priorities, and social situations to define their identity. This concept is used to illustrate how individuals navigate and express their identity within different social contexts.

💡Rites of passage

Rites of passage are cultural rituals or processes that mark a person's transition from one status to another. The video describes these as consisting of three phases: separation, liminality, and incorporation. These phases are used to explain how individuals navigate changes in their identity, such as transitioning from high school to college or changing careers.

💡Identity struggle

Identity struggle is a concept that refers to the challenges individuals face when their self-perceived identity does not align with the identity others attribute to them. The video uses examples such as high school students transitioning to college to illustrate how identity struggles can occur during periods of significant change and self-discovery.

💡Self-embedded culture

Self-embedded culture is a concept that describes societies where individual identities are closely intertwined with and influenced by cultural norms, values, and practices. The video discusses how in such cultures, personal identities are often shaped and defined by a larger cultural context, which can impact behavior, beliefs, and social interactions. It also highlights the balance between individuality and conformity within these cultural contexts.

Highlights

Anthropology explores the complex interplay between culture and the self.

Culture encompasses attitudes, beliefs, language, customs, rituals, behavior, faith, religion, food, drama, and art.

Anthropology bridges the gap between the sciences and humanities to understand human experience.

Edward Tylor defined culture as a complex whole including knowledge, belief, art, moral law, custom, and other capabilities.

The concept of self is a necessary supplement to the concept of culture in anthropology.

Identity is constructed through the interplay of nature (genetic inheritance) and nurture (social cultural environment).

Cultural construction of self and identity is a fundamental element of understanding human behavior.

Identity struggle occurs when there is a discrepancy between the identity a person claims and the identity attributed by others.

The identity toolbox includes features of a person's identity that they choose to emphasize in constructing their social self.

Personal names are intimate markers of identity that differentiate individuals within societies.

Arnold van Gennep's rites of passage model includes separation, liminality, and incorporation phases in identity change.

Self-embedded culture refers to societies where individual identities are closely intertwined with cultural norms, values, and practices.

GR Sahlins offers a symbolic interpretative model of culture, emphasizing the importance of meaning and interpretation in human culture.

Humans are seen as cultural animals, creating meanings and behaving in accordance with those meanings.

Culture provides the framework through which individuals understand themselves, relate to others, and make sense of the world.

The inseparable connection between individuals and their cultural context is emphasized, highlighting mutual influence and dependence.

Transcripts

an anthropological conization of self

the self as embedded in culture reported

by Joan ante Johan bz and Lynette

byby learning

objectives recognize what the field of

anthropology can contribute to the

understanding of the

self understand how how culture and salt

are complementary Concepts discuss the

cultural construction of the salt and

social

identity explain the concept of identity

struggle and develop Insight on how to

achieve a sense of self situated in

Multicultural and dynamic

situation

anthropology

what about anthropology e considered as

one of the most complex areas of

discipline has explored various meanings

of culture self and identity in the

desire to come up with a better

understanding of the

soul is concerned with how cultural and

biological processes interact to shape

Human

Experience so basically is something to

do with the culture of human

being different faes of

culture so there are uh some aspect that

affect to the human being

culture that can be an attitude beliefs

language customes rituals Behavior Faith

or religion food drama or art music

music James alpak as anth American

Anthropologist according to

him anthropology encroaches on the

territory of the

Sciences as well as the humanities and

transet the conventional boundaries of

both while addressing question from the

distance past and the

present perhap with implication for the

future so that's our experience from the

previews do matter on the present

time employing

anthropological perspective that is

perceiving holistically what could be

the answer to the questions who am

I anthropology considered human

experience as an interplay of nature

referring to a genetic inheritance which

set the individual potential and nurture

referring to the social cultural

environment the most important

contribution of the anthropology is

providing insight into the nature of Sal

based on continuous understanding in of

the basic elements of

culture the cultural construction of

self and

identity Edward Taylor a British

Anthropologist defined culture as that

complex rule which include knowledge

belief art moral law custom and a other

capabilities and habits acquired by man

as a member of

society and then Martin

Sufi German Anthropologist believe that

the concept of salt is a necessary

supplement to a

concept of culture in anthropology and

should be regarded as a human

Universal culture assult that become

complimentary

concept that have to be understood in

relation to one another so from this um

where the

person um situated on a certain place or

where the person belong um also the

social surround them it can affect uh

who who he is or who she is and the and

the in the people also in the community

okay so there are two sides of identity

found in every person in every culture

so that's the egocentric and the soci

sociocentric view so when we say entric

view

Senter lack of self-esteem well the

social socially

oriented and the person gets their

identity from the group

so when we say egocentric view it is the

selfe scene as an autonomous and

distinct

individual so they only thinks of

themselves and their own wants they do

not consider other people so the best

example here are the Americans they are

very

egocentric because they believe that

they should be assertive and

independent next is the social Centric

view it is the sest contingent on soci

situation or social setting so they

focus on one's own social group empis

soci culture social

set so for example Chinese so the

Chinese prioritize skin TI and

cooperation that's why

communis then they put importance to

compliance and subordination of one's

will through authority figures in the

family so for Anthropologist chrisy

kefir the Japanese possess a

sociocentric view of the self in which

the membership of a person in a

particular social group defines the

boundaries of the celf so the

interdependence between the person and

the group is more valued than

Independence Francis Shu the Chinese

American Anthropologist Francis Shu

attributes a social Centric view of the

self to the Chinese and he explains that

the chines prioritize skin TI and

cooperation so for them the very essence

of interpersonal relations is mutual

Independence and in contrast with the

Japanese and Chinese the Americans are

egocentric next is the identity toolbox

so identity toolbox refers to the

features of a person's identity that he

or she chooses to emphasize in

constructing a social celf so ID as a

person using our similarities and

differences

priorities

differences

social very dependent social situation

and same social situation while the

egocentric Nam they prioritize their

differences or their uniqueness as a

person next is the personal meaning a

universal practice with numerous cross

cultural variations establishes a

child's birth right and social

identity

so primary individual tra as a person

important as a part of our

identity personal names in all societies

are intimate markers of a person which

differentiates him or her from other

ERS so for example theara Indians they

do not considered an infant as a true

human until a name is given to him or

her soar

Indians around two years old and ready

to speak

language special ritual

perform B that makes him or her fully

accepted Lara

Community well Saab culture children

inherit their mother's family name so

another unique naming is practice in

Arctic

Canada is are are named after their

deceased

relative help for their character

formation and lastly here in the

Philippines it is common for Catholic

parents to name their children after

saints

so sacred name like Maria

Jose bless and protect protan Sil

throughout their

life so one of the Anthropologist is

Arnold van Gip now he believes that

changes in one's status and identity are

marked by a three phases right of

passage these are the separation

liminality and

incorporation separation phase people

detach from their former former identity

to another and liminality phase a person

transitions from one identity to

another uh the third one is

incorporation place the change in one

stat is officially

Incorporated and th identity struggles

interaction in which there is a

discrepancy between identity a person

claims to possess and identity

attributed to that person by others so

I'll give example for this

spases so the first one uh separation

phase this one is the example PO is a

person is resigning from their long-term

job to embark on a new career path

represents the separation PA

the individual con consciously detaches

from their previous professional

identity so this one

isession

different

different path or different jobba na

Naman reconstruct

Nam parang New Beginning na Naman so

past job so in the second one theity

phase this phase are

uh is during a

vacation uh

mean

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so the third one is in preparation phase

uh after completing a challenging Pro

training program individuals may enter

the incorporation phase as they

integrate integrate the accurate skills

and knowledge into their their daily

professional practices this pH marks the

assimilation of the new

identity um uh good

example

new

identity if something

happen SKS daily

life so identi identity struggles Nam

adults navigating the transition from

high school to college May encounter

identity struggles the challenge of

adapting to a new environment forming

new relationship and defining their

personal values contri contribute to

this phase of certainly and

self-discovery so this identity

struggles is

about high school

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sool new adventures and

journey Adventures

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Journey so this uh identity

struggles first year first to third

years college

life and then goobic

2011 suggests that in order to attain

self-identification individuals have to

overcome any obstacles such

traditionally establish Hab established

habits and externally imposed images so

this

s Journey

experiences

and standards about your self images

soan uhab

G Katherine Ewings illusion of fullness

exhibits how individual s throughout the

world continuously reconstitute

themselves into new s in response to

internal and external stimul so

illusional fullness uh

identityless perfect everyday

struggle para next uh next uh face MO is

better and this one is the self has

embedded in culture so let me introduce

the self-embedded

culture the concept of self-embedded

culture refers to as societal

environment where individual identities

are Clos closely interwined with a un

influenced by our culture Norms values

and practices in such cultures personal

identities are often shaped and defined

by a larger culture context these

interdependence can impact various

aspects of life including Behavior

beliefs and social

interactions individuals within

self-embedded culture may find a strong

sense of identity and belonging within

the cultural framework but it can also

bring challenges as as a expectations

and Norms play a significant role in

shaping personal choices and expressions

the balance between individuality and

conformity in such culture cultures can

vary impacting how people navigate their

identities when within the Bor culture

context self embedded

culture

May connection and culture and within

yourself so is a for GRS an American

Anthropologist offer a reformulation of

the concept of culture which favors a

symbolic interpretative model of culture

he agrees with Max

Weber man is an animal suspended in webs

of significance he himself as SP in

which those webs are perceived to be

symbolic of culture

soab Max Weber man is an animal isas

IDE human

beings

World natural world

uh however that distinguish human is

their ability to create and Liv in a

complex system of meaning and

interpretation this web

uh

cultural social and symbolic

structures that human

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constructs

cultures

connection animals I existence

human

so two important ideas see

GRS uh the first one is culture should

not be perceived only as a complexes of

concrete Behavior patterns Customs

usages Traditions habit clusters assess

by the large being the case up to now

with the set of control mechanism plans

recipes rules instructions for the

governing behavior and secondly man is

precisely the animal most desper

desperately dependent upon such extrog

gentic outside the skin control

mechanism such cultural programs for

ordering his behavior

andab important

ideas about

with

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uh

Traditions so lastly GS also emphasized

that human nature is interdependent Ed

with culture saying now without men no

culture certainly but equally and more

significantly without culture no man

likewise Robins 2012 considered human

beings as cultural animals as they

create the meanings of objects persons

behaviors emotions and events and behave

in accordance with meanings they assume

to be true so due to some uh uh without

men no

culture

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is uh the people the people

itself actions and

beliefs cural practices traditions and

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values

so in without culture no vice

versa this part under underscores the

idea that culture is essential for the

Existence and identity of the

individuals culture provides the

framework through which individuals

understands themselves relate to others

and make sense of the world it suggests

that without the influ influence of

culture individuals might lack the

shared meanings and dorms that shape

their

identity in essence the statement

highlights the Inseparable connection

between the two individuals and the

cultural context emphasizing the mutual

influence and the dependence of the two

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so

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without so let's wrap it up no uh May

within this topic so I'd like to thank

you and we would like to thank you for

listening to our

topic have a blessed

day