Interpretive Dynamics of Culture

• It is a tool to grasp the complexity of

the phenomenon it represents and a

means to explore its many other

dimensions hidden by its normative

use.

• It represents an ideal type, which

more or less depicts the form,

process, and dynamics of the social

Society as a Concept

• Society is seen as an outcome of multiple

interactions of people upon which

succeeding interactions are made

meaningful and possible.

Society as a Facticity

Society

Omnipotence

Omniscience

Omnipresence

• the quality of having unlimited or

very great power.

Omnipotence

• the state of knowing everything.

Omniscience

• the state of being widespread

or constantly encountered.

Omnipresence

• It allows us to see opportunities where there are none and to create one if need be.

Sociological Awareness

Being socially aware means that you

understand how you react to

different social situations, and

effectively modify your interactions with

other people so that you achieve the best

results.

The sociological

perspective enjoins

us to see the

coordinates of our

social maps- our

biography and

society’s history and

their intersections –

and from there chart

more feasible routes

to achieving our

C. W Mills

Theoretical Perspective

the society is seen as a

complex system whose

parts function and work in

harmony, bringing stability

in the process (Parts of the

society: family, school,

economy, or state)

An American

sociologist who

differentiate the

two kinds of

functionHe is considered a

founding father of

modern sociology.

Robert Merton

Manifest Function

• Is the intended,

recognized and

obvious

• consequences that

people observe or

expect. It is

explicitly stated and

understood by the

participants in the

relevant action.

Latent Function

• The

unintended

and

unrecognized

function

Social Dysfunction

• undesirable effects of a social

pattern on the operation of

society, may result but society

has the ability to adjust.

• Focuses on: forces in society that promote

competition and change

• it is based on the assumption that society

is an arena of inequality and division

resulting to conflict.

Focuses on: how individualsinteract

it focuses on how peoplemake sense of the world, onhow they experience anddefine what they and othersare doing, and on how theyinfluence and are influencedby others.

Rules: Invisible Hand of Society

-Are essential in the everyday conduct of the member

of the society

-it becomes the arbiter of disagreements and people’s

respect for rules gives them this organizing power over

human actions over time.

Written Rules

Are easily seen and

hence are easily

observed and obeyed.

Stop at a red light

Unwritten Rules

These are rules that

aren’t necessarily laws

but we follow them on a

day to day basis.

Don't stop in the middle of a busy

sidewalk.

Avoid ‘K’ at all cost

Culture as a Concept

Culture is that complex

whole includes

knowledge, belief, art,

morals, law, custom, and

any other capabilities

and habits acquired by

man as a member of

society.

-Edward B. Tylor

Culture is the way of life especially the

general customs and beliefs, of a

particular group of people at a particular

time-Cambridge English Dictionary

•

Mass Culture

refers to the mass-

produced and mass –

mediated forms of

consumer culture that

emerged in the 20th

Century.

CultureSociety

One does not or cannot exist

without the others

• “There can be no culture without a society

and there are no known human societies

that do not exhibit culture.”