Lesson 3: The Self

From The
Perspective Of
Anthropology

EDWIN A. AMARILA, LPT, RPM, MPsych

Lesson 3: The Self From The
Perspective Of Anthropology
 Anthropology is a field of the
social sciences that focus on the
study of man. The field looks into
man’s physical/biological
characteristics, his social
relationships and the influences oh
his culture from the dawn of
civilization to the present.
 Archaeology

 Made people realize the most

important aspect of human nature,
which is survival. All around the
world, people have struggled to
survive and up to the present, human
behavior, school of functionalism
continues to adapt in order to survive.
 Archaeology

 Incontemporary society,
people still aim for survival, for
their basic needs to be met and
needs that would enable them
to live a mark/ legacy in their
society.
 Biological Anthropology

Biological
Anthropologists focus
primarily on how the
human body adapts to the
different earth
environments.
 Biological Anthropology

 Biologicalcharacteristics
human beings share may earn
for them complete dominion
over all earth creature and the
same time be the cause of their
extinction.
 Linguistic Anthropology

 Linguisticanthropologists’
interest focuses on using
language as a means to
discover a group’s manner of
social interaction and his
worldview.
 Linguistic Anthropology

These scientists want to

discover how language is
used to create and share
meanings, to form ideas and
concepts and to promote
social change
 Linguistic Anthropology

 Thisresulted in a consensus of
having a universal language
which is English. In the
contemporary society, other
forms of languages evolved
which represent the subculture
of a particular group.
 Linguistic Anthropology

 Example of these are the terms used

in social media and the language of
the LGBTs. Language adapts to the
existing conditions in the society. As
societies change and technologies
develop so do the symbols and
meaning people attach to objects and
events as expressed through the
language that they use and their
manner of communicating.
 Cultural Anthropology

 Culture is described as a group

of people’s way of life. It
includes their behaviors,
beliefs, values, and symbols
that they accept that are
socially transmitted through
communication and imitation
from generation to generation.
 Cultural Anthropology

 Culturalanthropologists are
interested in knowing what
makes one group’s manner of
living particular to that group
and forms an essential part of
the members’ personal and
social identity.
 Cultural Anthropology

The contention that

culture has a strong
impact on how the
individual views himself is
known as the theory of
cultural determinism.
 Cultural Anthropology

Onthe positive, the theory

suggests that human beings
can be shaped/formed to
have the kind of life they
prefer.
 Cultural Anthropology

On the negative, Cultural

determinism may mean
that people have no
control over what they
learn.
 Culture may manifest itself in
people:
 Symbols – symbols can be shaped or copied by other culture
who find them also fitting for their own culture. Ex Rings, Cross,
Colors
 Heroes – are persons from past or present who have
characteristics that are important in culture. Ex. Rizal
 Rituals – are activities (may be religious or social) for the
fulfillment of desired objectives and are considered to be
socially essential. Ex. Religious ceremonies like baptism
 Values – are considered to be the core of every culture. Values
involve human tendencies/preferences towards good or bad,
right or wrong. Ex. Respect for elders
 In Summary

 Anthropology makes the person

aware that what he is maybe
determined by his past and
present condition, biological
characteristics, the way he
communicates, the language that
he uses and the manner in which
he chooses to live his life.