Anthropology

The Self embedded in Culture

Prepared by: Ma’am Michelle Delos Santos

Anthropology

Concerned with how cultural and biological processes interact

and shape human experience
Culture
 Complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art,
morals, law, customs, and any other capabilities and habits
acquired by man as a member of society. (Edward Tylor)

 Culture is not behaviour itself but the shared

understandings that guide behaviour and are expressed in
behaviour. (Peacock, 1986)
 Clifford Geertz (1973)
• Culture is a system of inherited conceptions expressed in
symbolic forms by means which people communicate,
perpetuate and develop their knowledge about and attitudes
towards life.
• He emphasizes that human nature is interdependent with
culture.

“Without men, no culture; without culture , there is no men”

STEREOTYPE
 An important concept in relation to identity
 Assumptions made about individuals because they belong to
a particular social group.
(Operario and Fiske 2003)
 Self Identity VS Social Identity
 The way you see yourself  The way you others see you
 Shapes your:  Influenced by others:
perception perception
attitude attitude
values values
beliefs beliefs
 Identity Struggles

When there is discrepancy between person’s

assumed identity and the identity imposed by others
and the society.
2 Ways which concept of self is viewed in different society
1. EGOCENTRIC
- autonomous and distinct individual
2. SOCIOECENTRIC
- Self is contingent on a situation or social setting

Examples:
EGOCENTRIC
Americans – assertive and independent
SOCIOECENTRIC
Japanese – Interdependent between person and group
Chinese – Mutual dependence
 RITE OF PASSAGE

Ritual activities to prepare individuals fro new roles from one

stage of life to another.
 3 PHASE OF
RITE OF PASSAGE
(Arnold Van Gennep)

1. Separation - people detached from their former identity to another

2. Liminality – transition from one identity to another
3. Incorporation – change in one’s status is officially incorporated
Identity Determinants:
1. Family membership
2. Language
3. Religious Affiliation
4. Personal Naming

***NAME – is an important device to individualize a person and have an identity

 CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Exists when groups of people assign different meanings to

different life events and things.

Hence, the self is embedded in CULTURE

THE END
Thank you