2. After going through this lesson, you are
expected to:
1. define the nine disciplines of Social
Sciences; and
2. identify the natures and functions of each
disciplines.
3. SOCIAL SCIENCE
•A branch of science devoted to the study of societies
and the relationships among individuals within those
societies.
•The term social sciences thus embrace all those
subjects which deal with the relationship of man to the
society.
6. Function of Antropology
•Essentially to understand as many aspects of human life as can
possibly be studied,
•to record its findings, and contribute to both historical
understanding as well as
•to ascertain current states of the human condition in an attempt
to better understand and/or act upon those findings. (Fethe,
2017)
7. Nature of Antropology
• The aim of modern social anthropology is just not to study human
society but also to understand the complex issues of modern human
life.
• As primitive people have been the focus of anthropological study, the
problems faced by these people in the process of development in
modern days become very important for the anthropologists to study.
• Anthropologists not only deal with the study of these problems but also
try to find out a solution for this.
8. Nature of Antropology
•Developmental anthropology and Action
anthropology etc. are the specialized
fields within social anthropology which
deal with such problems.
.
9. Nature of Antropology
• Developmental anthropology is the study of how cultural
practices, social structures, and local knowledge affect (and are
affected by) economic and social development projects, especially
in poorer or rural regions.
• It examines how development efforts (like building schools,
hospitals, or irrigation systems) impact local communities.Focuses
on sustainable and culturally appropriate development.Often
critiques top-down development models imposed by governments
or international organizations.Encourages community participation
and respect for local traditions.
10. Nature of Antropology
EXAMPLE
•An anthropologist might work with an NGO to
ensure a water project in a village considers local
customs about water use, gender roles, and
spiritual beliefs tied to natural springs.
11. Nature of Antropology
• The aim of modern social anthropology is just not to study human
society but also to understand the complex issues of modern human
life.
• As primitive people have been the focus of anthropological study, the
problems faced by these people in the process of development in
modern days become very important for the anthropologists to study.
• Anthropologists not only deal with the study of these problems but also
try to find out a solution for this.
12. Nature of Antropology
• Action anthropology is an approach where anthropologists not
only study a community but also actively work to help improve
its situation, based on mutual respect and collaboration..
• Founded by Sol Tax in the 1950s.
• Based on the idea that anthropologists have a responsibility to
support the people they study.
• Involves direct involvement in community issues—such as
education, health, or legal advocacy—while continuing to
observe and learn.It’s collaborative, aiming for social justice and
empowerment..
13. Nature of Antropology
EXAMPLE
•An anthropologist might help an indigenous group
fight for land rights while also documenting their
legal and cultural systems..
14. Nature of Antropology
Therefore, we can say that the scope and aim of social anthropology go
together; one influences the other. As much as the scope increases a new
aim comes out of it.
Meaning:
• The more areas (scope) that social anthropology explores, the more new objectives
(aims) arise.
• As anthropologists study more aspects of human life, they develop new questions,
theories, and purposes.
• Therefore, the development of one (scope or aim) naturally influences and expands the
other.
Example:
• If anthropologists begin studying digital communities (an expanded scope), a new aim
might arise: understanding the impact of technology on human relationships.
15. Demography
• “demos” (people), “graphein”
(description)
• is the study of human populations,
focusing on their size, structure, and
distribution. It uses statistical and
mathematical methods to analyze
changes in population components
like births, deaths, and migration,
aiding governments and social
scientists in understanding past trends
and predicting future possibilities.
16. Function of Demography
•To know the population of a particular area;
•To ascertain as to which factors are influencing
the population of that particular area;
•To explain the factors relating to changes in
population; and
•To study the population trends on the basis of the
above three factors.
18. GEOGRAPHY
•geo” (Earth),“graphein”(description) Deals with the
study of the relationship between the earth and people.
•Geographers study:Why people move (push and pull
factors)Population growth and decline.
•How climate, landforms, and natural resources shape
lifestyles. The impact of human activities on the
environment (e.g., pollution, deforestation)
19. GEOGRAPHY
• Geography in social science is the study of the relationship
between people and their environments—both natural and
human-made.
• It helps us understand how location, place, and space
influence human activities, cultures, economies, and
societies.
• Geography is essential in social science because it provides
spatial context to social, political, economic, and cultural
phenomena.
21. ECONOMICS
•“oikanomia” (household management)
•a social science that studies how individuals,
businesses, and governments make choices about
how to allocate scarce resources, which are used to
produce goods and services. It examines how these
choices impact production, distribution, and
consumption. Essentially, economics analyzes how
economies work and how they can be improved.
23. LINGUISTICS
•“lingua” (tongue,language)
•Study of languages and focuses on the three aspects of
language
•cientific study of language, plays a vital role in social
science by helping us understand how language
influences and reflects human behavior, society, and
culture.
24. FUNCTION OF LINGUISTICS
•linguistics in social science functions as a
powerful tool for understanding communication,
culture, identity, and power dynamics. It bridges
the gap between language and society, offering
insights that help improve education, policy, and
intercultural understanding.
26. HISTORY
• “histoire” (recorded and documented events)
• The study of the past and its records about events.
• History in social science is the study of past human
events, societies, and civilizations to understand how they
have shaped the present and can inform the future. It is a
core discipline in the social sciences because it provides
context, perspective, and evidence for analyzing human
behavior, social change, and cultural development.
27. HISTORY
History supports fields like:
• Sociology: by showing how social structures and institutions
developed
• Economics: by explaining past economic systems and crises
• Political Science: by analyzing the rise and fall of political
systems
• Anthropology: by tracing cultural heritage and traditions over
time
29. POLITICAL SCIENCE
•“politika,” “polis” (affairs of the cities)
•Deals with the system of governance
•Political science is a core branch of social science that
focuses on the study of government, political
processes, institutions, behavior, and power dynamics
within and among societies. It helps us understand
how authority is organized, how decisions are made,
and how policies affect people.
30. POLITICAL SCIENCE
• Political science investigates : How public policies are made
and implemented, the role of public servants and institutions.
How laws affect society.
• This is useful in improving decision-making and public
service delivery.
• Political science in social science helps explain how societies
are governed, how power operates, and how citizens and
institutions interact. It is essential for building just, effective,
and accountable governments, and for promoting peace,
participation, and development in the modern world.
32. PSYCHOLOGY
•“psyche” (mind),“logos” (study of) Scientific study of
the mind and behavior.
•Psychology in social science is the systematic study of
human behavior, thought processes, and emotions. It
explores how individuals think, feel, and act—both
individually and in groups—and helps explain the
mental processes behind social interactions, learning,
motivation, and personality.
33. PSYCHOLOGY
•Psychology helps explain:Why people behave the way
they do. How behavior is influenced by biological,
emotional, social, and environmental factors.The
differences between normal and abnormal behavior
•Psychology helps explain:What drives people to act
(motivation)How emotions affect decision-making,
relationships, and healthHow emotional intelligence
can improve life satisfaction and success
Editor's Notes
#3:Social science tells us how society works. It provides a deeper understanding about the world beyond our immediate experience. It tells us that everything is interconnected, that the labor of yesterday can be the fruits of today and that the actions of today will have an impact in the future of humanity.
#21:economics as a social science helps explain how human behavior interacts with societal needs and resources, guiding decision-making at all levels—from individuals to governments—for better outcomes and more sustainable development.
#24:Understand how language reflects values, beliefs, and traditions .Study dialects and regional languages as part of social identity
#26:History investigates the causes of major events (e.g., why wars started) and their consequences
