The Sociological Perspective vs The Anthropological Conceptualization
Added on 2022-02-04
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I. Course Title: The Sociological Perspective and the Anthropological
Conceptualization of the Self
A. Learning Objectives
At the end of the chapter, the students are expected to:
1. Define Sociology and Anthropology, and explain their differences, and how they overlap.
2. Recognize the sociological views about understanding the self and others
3. Explain how individuals view the self as a product of socialization
4. Discuss the different theories about the social self
5. Appreciate their own social experiences that have been helpful in understanding the self.
6. Determine how the field of Anthropology can contribute to the understanding of the self
7. Explain how culture and self are complementary concepts
8. Discuss the cultural construction of the self, social identity and identity struggles
9. Gain insights on how to achieve a sense of self, situated in multicultural and dynamic
situations.
B. Lecture Outline
I. Sociology vs. Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humans and the ways they live. Sociology studies the ways
groups of people interact with each other and how their behavior is influenced by social
structures, categories (rage, gender, sexuality), and institutions.
While both fields study human behavior, the debate between anthropology vs. sociology is a
matter of perspectives. Anthropology examines culture more at the micro-level of the
individual, which the anthropologist generally takes as an example of the larger culture. In
addition, anthropology hones in on the cultural specificities of a given group or community.
Sociology, on the other hand, tends to look at the bigger picture, often studying institutions
(educational, political, religious), organizations, political movements, and the power relations
of different groups with each other.
Anthropology studies human behavior more at the individual level, while Sociology focuses
more on group behavior and relations with social structures and institutions.
Anthropologists conduct research using ethnography (a qualitative research method), while
sociologists use both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Conceptualization of the Self
A. Learning Objectives
At the end of the chapter, the students are expected to:
1. Define Sociology and Anthropology, and explain their differences, and how they overlap.
2. Recognize the sociological views about understanding the self and others
3. Explain how individuals view the self as a product of socialization
4. Discuss the different theories about the social self
5. Appreciate their own social experiences that have been helpful in understanding the self.
6. Determine how the field of Anthropology can contribute to the understanding of the self
7. Explain how culture and self are complementary concepts
8. Discuss the cultural construction of the self, social identity and identity struggles
9. Gain insights on how to achieve a sense of self, situated in multicultural and dynamic
situations.
B. Lecture Outline
I. Sociology vs. Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humans and the ways they live. Sociology studies the ways
groups of people interact with each other and how their behavior is influenced by social
structures, categories (rage, gender, sexuality), and institutions.
While both fields study human behavior, the debate between anthropology vs. sociology is a
matter of perspectives. Anthropology examines culture more at the micro-level of the
individual, which the anthropologist generally takes as an example of the larger culture. In
addition, anthropology hones in on the cultural specificities of a given group or community.
Sociology, on the other hand, tends to look at the bigger picture, often studying institutions
(educational, political, religious), organizations, political movements, and the power relations
of different groups with each other.
Anthropology studies human behavior more at the individual level, while Sociology focuses
more on group behavior and relations with social structures and institutions.
Anthropologists conduct research using ethnography (a qualitative research method), while
sociologists use both qualitative and quantitative methods.
The primary goal of Anthropology is to understand human diversity and cultural
difference, while Sociology is more solution-oriented with the goal of fixing social
problems through policy.
Sociology and Anthropology are social science disciplines that focus on studying the
behavior of humans within their societies. Students interested in researching civilizations
-- past and present -- as they relate to social hierarchies should consider studying
anthropology and sociology. Many institutions combine both disciplines into one
department due to the similarities between the two. The key difference between the two
social sciences is that sociology concentrates on society while anthropology focuses on
culture.
Sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences
of human behavior. Columbia University notes that sociological thinking involves the
relationships among people -- or more specifically, the associations between people and
the products of human interaction such as organizations, technologies, economies, cities,
culture, media and religion. On the other hand, The American Anthropological Association
defines Anthropology as the study of humans, past and present. Anthropological
viewpoints are inspired by observing cross-cultural differences in social institutions,
cultural beliefs and communication styles.
II. The Sociological Perspective of the Self
1. Bioecological Systems Perspectives to Understanding the Self
Interdependence and Reciprocity
Individual can only be understood in the context of his or her environment; elements are
interdependent, reciprocally related. The “environment” is phenomenologically experienced
(Alampay, 2018).
Urie Bronfenbrenner Bioecological Systems
Ecology of Human development (1979) is a complex system. However, Bronfenbrenner
(1989-1999) argued that the 1979 version of his theory was revised, refined, and extended. When
we say that it is a complex system, it can be said that it is comprised of mutually overlapping
subsystems. These systems interact in a dynamic processes, transactions, and interaction. This can
be understood further in the Process-Person-Context-Time Model (PPCT).
The First idea in this model refers to the Proximal Process, which can be defined here as:
Human development takes place through processes of progressively more complex reciprocal
interaction between an active, evolving biopsychological human organism and the persons,
objects, and symbols in its immediate external environment. To be effective, the interaction must
occur on a fairly regular basis over extended periods of time. Such enduring forms of interaction
difference, while Sociology is more solution-oriented with the goal of fixing social
problems through policy.
Sociology and Anthropology are social science disciplines that focus on studying the
behavior of humans within their societies. Students interested in researching civilizations
-- past and present -- as they relate to social hierarchies should consider studying
anthropology and sociology. Many institutions combine both disciplines into one
department due to the similarities between the two. The key difference between the two
social sciences is that sociology concentrates on society while anthropology focuses on
culture.
Sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences
of human behavior. Columbia University notes that sociological thinking involves the
relationships among people -- or more specifically, the associations between people and
the products of human interaction such as organizations, technologies, economies, cities,
culture, media and religion. On the other hand, The American Anthropological Association
defines Anthropology as the study of humans, past and present. Anthropological
viewpoints are inspired by observing cross-cultural differences in social institutions,
cultural beliefs and communication styles.
II. The Sociological Perspective of the Self
1. Bioecological Systems Perspectives to Understanding the Self
Interdependence and Reciprocity
Individual can only be understood in the context of his or her environment; elements are
interdependent, reciprocally related. The “environment” is phenomenologically experienced
(Alampay, 2018).
Urie Bronfenbrenner Bioecological Systems
Ecology of Human development (1979) is a complex system. However, Bronfenbrenner
(1989-1999) argued that the 1979 version of his theory was revised, refined, and extended. When
we say that it is a complex system, it can be said that it is comprised of mutually overlapping
subsystems. These systems interact in a dynamic processes, transactions, and interaction. This can
be understood further in the Process-Person-Context-Time Model (PPCT).
The First idea in this model refers to the Proximal Process, which can be defined here as:
Human development takes place through processes of progressively more complex reciprocal
interaction between an active, evolving biopsychological human organism and the persons,
objects, and symbols in its immediate external environment. To be effective, the interaction must
occur on a fairly regular basis over extended periods of time. Such enduring forms of interaction
in the immediate environment are referred to as proximal processes (Bronfenbrenner & Morris,
1998, p. 996, italics in the original).
Second to this model is the idea of Person, which refers to the idea of demand, resource and
force. The idea of demand pertains to the personal characteristics of the person such as gender,
age, race, etc. that may influence interactions because of expectations. The resource pertains to the
mental, emotional, and material capability and opportunities, or even the inadequacy of the
aforementioned. This can be in the form of intelligence, skills education, and family life. The force
on the one hand, refers to the inherent differences in temperament, motivation, drive, and
persistence
Subsystem of Bronfenbrenner Ecological Systems
Urie Bronfenbrenner(1979) contributed to the ideas of the context systems: Microsystem,
Mesosystem, Exosystem, and Macrosystem. The Microsystem refers to the patterns of activities
and interaction experienced by the individual immediate setting. These interactions occur from
parent to child, and from child to teacher vis a vis as the main character of this interaction. In these
activities and interactions, we can say that the proximal processes are said to occur. The second
subsystem is the Mesosystem that refers to the interrelations of parent-teacher, work and home
environment. In this subsystem, the child environment is expanding, and how this relationship may
bring a change in behavior in the way the parent, teacher, and student interact with each other
reciprocally. While, the Exosystem refers to social structure, which may have direct influence on
the behavior of the individual such us school administration and parent’s workplace. The
Macrosystem on the other hand, refers to the influence of culture, socioeconomic standing,
religion, government regulations and enactment of laws. This wired social connections have
significant effect on the individual behavior as a member of society subject to the dominions of
one’s culture, economic status, and government policies(Tudge, Mokrova, Hatfield, & Karnik,
2009). In Corollary to the subsystems, the Chronosystems however, entails life transition over the
course of historical time and sociohistorical events. This life transition is inevitable, and this could
be the impact of information technology, historical events, culture, and economic status, which
transpired across microtime and macrotime. It is inherent upon human nature to change, and this
change may produce perturbation to the system in place, and producing self-disequilibrium. The
role of the system is to maintain equilibrium or homeostasis. The system effectively works in an
adaptive mechanism for self-organization by establishing patterns and rules of behavior in relation
with and with respect to the environment.
2. Globalizing World: Implications to self and identity
It is intriguing to pose an inquiry about the self in two ways: are we what we are because
of who we are? Or there are forces and events shaping who we are? We may also continue to ask
and sustain our inquiry that if the latter is in fact true, what are these events and forces, and strong
these forces in influencing the development of the self? It is good to reflect on these things for a
while, and leave ourselves to think for the answers. But our philosophical thinking may not suffice,
unless we lay down empirical answers to these questions.
1998, p. 996, italics in the original).
Second to this model is the idea of Person, which refers to the idea of demand, resource and
force. The idea of demand pertains to the personal characteristics of the person such as gender,
age, race, etc. that may influence interactions because of expectations. The resource pertains to the
mental, emotional, and material capability and opportunities, or even the inadequacy of the
aforementioned. This can be in the form of intelligence, skills education, and family life. The force
on the one hand, refers to the inherent differences in temperament, motivation, drive, and
persistence
Subsystem of Bronfenbrenner Ecological Systems
Urie Bronfenbrenner(1979) contributed to the ideas of the context systems: Microsystem,
Mesosystem, Exosystem, and Macrosystem. The Microsystem refers to the patterns of activities
and interaction experienced by the individual immediate setting. These interactions occur from
parent to child, and from child to teacher vis a vis as the main character of this interaction. In these
activities and interactions, we can say that the proximal processes are said to occur. The second
subsystem is the Mesosystem that refers to the interrelations of parent-teacher, work and home
environment. In this subsystem, the child environment is expanding, and how this relationship may
bring a change in behavior in the way the parent, teacher, and student interact with each other
reciprocally. While, the Exosystem refers to social structure, which may have direct influence on
the behavior of the individual such us school administration and parent’s workplace. The
Macrosystem on the other hand, refers to the influence of culture, socioeconomic standing,
religion, government regulations and enactment of laws. This wired social connections have
significant effect on the individual behavior as a member of society subject to the dominions of
one’s culture, economic status, and government policies(Tudge, Mokrova, Hatfield, & Karnik,
2009). In Corollary to the subsystems, the Chronosystems however, entails life transition over the
course of historical time and sociohistorical events. This life transition is inevitable, and this could
be the impact of information technology, historical events, culture, and economic status, which
transpired across microtime and macrotime. It is inherent upon human nature to change, and this
change may produce perturbation to the system in place, and producing self-disequilibrium. The
role of the system is to maintain equilibrium or homeostasis. The system effectively works in an
adaptive mechanism for self-organization by establishing patterns and rules of behavior in relation
with and with respect to the environment.
2. Globalizing World: Implications to self and identity
It is intriguing to pose an inquiry about the self in two ways: are we what we are because
of who we are? Or there are forces and events shaping who we are? We may also continue to ask
and sustain our inquiry that if the latter is in fact true, what are these events and forces, and strong
these forces in influencing the development of the self? It is good to reflect on these things for a
while, and leave ourselves to think for the answers. But our philosophical thinking may not suffice,
unless we lay down empirical answers to these questions.
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