Download Introduction to Social Sciences

Introduction to Social Sciences
Social Sciences use research and data
analysis to explain human behaviour –
what people think, how and why they
act the way they do
Social
Sciences
(i.e. sociology,
psychology, civics,
economics…)
Scientific/ Applied
Inquiry
Sciences
Method (i.e. mathematics,
physics, biology…)
The Inquiry Method
• Many disciplines in social sciences use the
scientific method (called the inquiry method
in our course)
• The inquiry method is used to gather data and
information when studying the behaviour,
trends and statistics regarding society,
individuals and groups
Definition of Social Sciences
• The study of people as individuals and as
members of groups (i.e. families,
communities, societies, peer groups…).
• The social sciences include various areas of
study – known as disciplines – such as history,
law, civics, economics…
And those as the heart of this course:
• Anthropology – considers the scientific study
of humans, especially of their origin,
behaviour and physical, social, and cultural
development (macro level)
• Psychology – studies the human mind,
emotions, behaviours of individuals (micro
level)
• Sociology – examines human society and
group behaviour (macro level)
Studying People
Interpreting Data:
The Social Sciences
• History
• Geography
• Economics
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Psychology
Interpreting Expression: The
Humanities (the Arts)
• Literature
• Poetry
• Philosophy
• Music
• Art
• Dance
• Theatre
WHY?
Does
everything
bad happen
to me?!?
Do so many
people hate
roundabouts?
Why?
Do some
people
shoplift?
Is it harder to
learn a
language
when you are
an adult?
Is it so hard
to stop a bad
habit?
Who wants to know?
•
•
•
•
•
•
the government
law enforcement
educators
health care providers
urban planners
the entertainment
industry
• the fashion industry
• Captains of Industry
• marketers/ promoters
of anything
• investors
• Inventors
• journalists
• your parents
• you!
Comparison of the 3 Disciplines in HSP3M
– Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology
Discipline
Main Focus
Means ‘the study of man’
(humans)
Anthropology The study of the lives and
The Study of cultures of human beings as
Humans with a species – dead or alive.
focus on culture Through time (i.e. evolution)
and origin
and throughout the world (i.e.
cultures)
2 branches – physical and
cultural
Psychology
The Study of
Individuals in
Society
Sociology
The Study of
Groups in
Society
Methods of Research
Physical - scientific research, archeology,
historical artifacts…
Cultural - Field study/observation - Living
with a cultural group for extended periods –
observing rituals and group behaviours.
The scientific study of
individual behaviours and
mental processes.
Examines what guides our
thinking and behaviour.
Studying people’s feelings, thoughts, and
personality development through interviews
to determine past influential experiences,
conducting animal experiments – believing
these will lead to a better understanding of
humans
The study of human social life,
groups, origins, and
relationships in society.
Examines how membership in
a group shapes our
experiences of the world.
Conducting statistical analysis and
observation. Considers trends and reasons
why things happen the way they do in
society and analyze how society affects
individuals and how individuals contribute to
society.
Topics of Study
Your Task...
• Look through the textbook “Images of
Society” and find issues/topics that each of
the 3 disciplines would examine.
• You have 15 minutes to find at least 5 topics
per discipline. We will take up your answers –
be ready to share.