CULTURE

SESSION 8
UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS
OUTLINE
∂ Definition of Culture
∂ Material and
Symbolic Culture
∂ Components of
Symbolic Culture
 Signs, Gestures,
Language, Values
∂ 3 Kinds of Norms
∂ 3 Aspects of Society
∂ Aspects of Culture
 CULTURE
The entire way of life for a
group of people which consists
of both material and symbolic
elements.
 E.B. Tylor
“Culture is a complex
whole which includes
beliefs, values, laws,
artefacts, symbols,
knowledge, and
everything that a
person learns and
shares as a member
of society.”
TWO TYPES OF CULTURE
MATERIAL CULTURE
SYMBOLIC CULTURE
Any physical
Any idea
object associated
associated with a
with a cultural
cultural group
group
MATERIAL CULTURE
Physical objects,
resources, and
spaces that people
use to define their
culture.
SYMBOLIC CULTURE
Non physical
ideas that people
use to define
their culture.
 COMPONENTS OF
SYMBOLIC CULTURE
1. Signs and Symbols
2. Gestures
3. Language
4. Values
1. Norms
 SIGNS & SYMBOLS
• Images used to
meaningfully
represent
something
• E.g. traffic light
or a product
logo
GESTURES
• Meaningful signs that
we make using our
body
• E.g. hand gestures
and facial expressions
 Language
A system of communication using signs
and symbols, gestures, and vocal
sounds.
Most important component of culture:
allows us to communicate.
 VALUES
• Shared beliefs
about what a
society considers
right or wrong
• Guides the
creation of norms
 NORMS
Rules regarding
what kinds of
behavior are
acceptable and
appropriate in a
society.
 TWO TYPES OF NORMS
FORMAL NORM INFORMAL NORM
Provides an
explicit statement
about what is Unspoken and
permissible and unwritten rules.
what is illegal in a
society.
 3 KINDS
OF NORMS
1. Folkway
2. Mores
3. Taboo
 FOLKWAYS
• A loosely enforced norm which
involves traditional customs and
practices
• E.g. Standing in line, “Pamahiin”
 MORES
• Norms that carry greater moral
significance than folkway and
involves punishment for violators
• E.g. Cheating, stealing, not
wearing proper dress code
 TABOO
• A deeply engrained norm that
violating it evokes feelings of disgust
and horror for most people
• Any activity which is strictly prohibited
by social custom
• E.g. Cannibalism, incest, same-sex
marriage
 Aspects of Culture
Artefacts Government
Arts & Recreation Language
Clothing Shelter
Customs & Values and
Traditions Religion
Food
 ARTS AND
ARTEFACTS
RECREATION
Any object made
Painting, music, dance,
by a human being
drama, poetry, sports etc.
E.g. tools, artwork
 CLOTHING
Textile material worn
on the body
 CUSTOMS AND FOOD
TRADITION Any substance consumed
A patterned way of to provide nutritional
behaviour that is considered support for the body
a characteristic of life in a
society
GOVERNMENT LANGUAGE
Social institution Complex system used
through which laws to communicate
are enforced
 SHELTER VALUES AND
Basic architectural RELIGION
structure that • Standards of behaviour
provides cover. • Belief in God or any
supernatural powers