ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELF

• Anthropos – man or humans
• Anthropology – holistic view of human nature
• Anthropology

  • How cultural and biological processes interact to shape self.
  • Nature and Nurture
  • Study of people of the past and present culturally and biologically.
• Nature – genetic inheritance

  Nurture – socio-cultural environment.
• Egocentric

  • Self is an autonomous and distinct individual.
  • Each person is a replica of all humanity but capable of acting independently from others.
• Sociocentric

  • Self is contingent on a situation or social setting.
  • Context-dependent; there’s no intrinsic self that can possess enduring qualities.
• Personal Naming and Identity

  • Universal practice with numerous cross-cultural variations.
  • Establishes child’s birthright and social identity.
• Personal Naming and Identity

  Universal practice with numerous cross-cultural variations.
• Personal Naming and Identity

  Establishes child’s birthright and social identity.
• Philippines


  Country that names children after saints
• Aymara Indians


  According to them, child is not ‘true human’ until it is named.
• A child in the Aymara Indian culture is named when they turn 2 years old and ready to speak the Aymara language.
• Icelanders


  In their culture, paternal surname is given immediately after birth.
• Minangkabau tribe


  In this tribe, mother's name is inherited
• CULTURAL TRANSITIONS

  • Identity toolbox – features of identity they chose to emphasize.
  • Identity struggles – discrepancy between features of identity they claim to possess & identity attributed by others.
  • Rite of passage – help a person adjust from one social dimension to the others.
• Identity toolbox – features of identity they chose to emphasize.
• Identity struggles – discrepancy between features of identity they claim to possess & identity attributed by others.
• Rite of passage – help a person adjust from one social dimension to the others.
• Arnold Van Gennep


  3 phased rite of passage by who
• 3 phased rite of passage by Arnold Van Gennep

  1. Separation phase – detach from former identity to another (bride walking down the aisle).
  2. Liminality phase – transition from one identity to another (wedding vows during ceremony).
  3. Incorporated phase – change in status is officially incorporated (wedding reception).
• Separation phase – detach from former identity to another (bride walking down the aisle).
• Liminality phase – transition from one identity to another (wedding vows during ceremony).
• Incorporated phase – change in status is officially incorporated (wedding reception).