Download AnIntroductiontotheSocialSciences

THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
A brief recap of the different branches
The Origin of the Social Sciences
• Studying human beings and their interactions is a
fairly recent phenomenon.
• Social sciences appeared during the 18th century.
• Came about during the “Age of Enlightenment” – a
period in history where scientists and philosophers
worked hard to uncover the mysteries of the world.
They used observation and reason – not religion and
superstition – to arrive at their theories.
ANTHROPOLOGY
• The study of human life, throughout history.
Physical anthropology strives to understand and define
the physical or biological nature of human beings.
• People trained in this area have an extensive
understanding of human anatomy.
• At the root of this discipline are the theories of Charles
Darwin who wrote The Origin of Species in 1859.
• Explains his theory of evolution.
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Cultural anthropology is the study of human beings in
different cultural settings around the world.
• Culture is defined as a way of living learned over
time, including knowledge, language, beliefs, art,
morals, laws, and customs.
• Branches of cultural anthropology include linguistics
and archaeology.
Development of Anthropology
 The observation and recording of various cultures
and customs was done as early as 450 BC.
 During the Enlightenment, philosophers such as
David Hume and John Locke insisted that
observation was the only way to make valid
conclusions about the world.
 Until WWII (1939-1945), anthropologists mainly
studied groups that had little or no contact with
industrialized Western culture.
 Beginning in the 1970s, the focus of anthropology
shifted from studying unknown, isolated
communities to applying knowledge to modern-day
problems. This is known as applied anthropology.
 Today many anthropologists work in the private
sector doing market research or cross-cultural
training for employees.
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PSYCHOLOGY
 The scientific study of behavior and mental
processes, and the factors that influence these
processes.
 Generally, psychologists study individuals but
group psychology is important especially in
counseling.
 Many areas of study including biological,
psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, and
humanistic.
Development of Psychology
 Ancient philosophers in Greece and China
recorded observations about people and their
behavior.
 Phrenology became popular in the early 19th
century.
 Phrenologists believed that personality could be
determined by bumps on the head. i.e. thieves
were supposed to have large bumps above the
ears.
 During the late 19th century, scientific studies of
human thought and behavior began.
 Experiments were conducted with animals and
theories of learning were proposed.
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SOCIOLOGY
 The systematic study of human social life, groups,
and societies.
 Sociologists study a wide range of topics such as
organizations, social movements and collective
behavior, gerontology, criminology, politics, culture,
and religion.
 Generally, there are three points of view that
dominate sociological theory.
Structural Functionalism views society as a machine
that can only function properly if all of its various parts
are in good working order. The parts are people, groups,
and institutions within society.
 If any of the parts are not working properly, then the
entire machine will eventually break down.
Conflict theory expresses the view that power, not
function holds a society together.
 Society is seen as groups of people acting in conflict
or competition with one another for limited resources.
 Through this conflict and power struggle, change
occurs.
Symbolic Interactionism expresses the idea that people
are internally motivated by what they have learned, not
externally motivated by social or economic conditions.
 Society is a product of our everyday social
interactions.
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The Development of Sociology
 Sociological theories began to appear during the
Enlightenment but were also influenced by the
Industrial Revolution and the political changes
that were taking place in Europe and America.
 The Industrial Revolution radically changed
family life, working conditions, and living
conditions.
 Increased social problems encouraged people to
search for answers.
 The American Revolution and the French
Revolution advocated ideas of freedom and
radical changes in political systems.
 Early sociologists tried to offer suggestions of
how to deal with such a rapidly changing society.
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