The Social Studies Disciplines

The Social Science Disciplines The Social Sciences are those disciplines that use research and analysis to examine human behavior. They use such techniques as collecting and analyzing statistics, conducting experiments, and examining what people have written and created , in an attempt to understand why people act the way they do.

The Social Science Disciplines In some ways, the social sciences are related to the humanities, or subjects that focus on the creative side of the human experience (art, music, literature, philosophy).

The Social Science Disciplines Where the humanities are concerned more with human expression, the social sciences focus more on human behavior.

The Social Science Disciplines Relationships among humans and groups living together in societies Sociology What are the functions of the various groups in society and what factors do people in these groups have in common? The study of the origins, organization, and institutions, and development of human beings and how these findings apply to society today.

The Social Science Disciplines Anthropology The physical and cultural development of human s and their societies What are the cultural patterns that help define these societies and the people in them? The study of the origin and the physical, social, and cultural development and behavior of humans. This social Science deals with the origins of wo/man by studying the development and customs of humans.

The Social Science Disciplines Psychology The behavior and thought processes of the individual, and the ways in which an individual acts and reacts to other humans and to society. What is going on inside a person’s mind that causes them to behave this way? The study of the mind and the ways of thought in an attempt to explain the ways people think, act and feel. It is the science of mental process and behavior. The emotions are studied.

The Social Science Disciplines Economics The production, distribution and consumption of resources, goods and services among individuals and groups within a society. How have people organized the production and distribution of goods and services?

The Social Science Disciplines Political Science The organizations people have developed to make rules and laws for their society. How are people governed?

The Social Science Disciplines Geography The distribution of the features of the physical environment and of the people who use those features How has society been shaped by the use of the land and its resources?

The Social Science Disciplines Discuss the following scenarios with your group and determine how each of the social sciences would address the scenario. Comment on which of the social sciences would be most useful in assessing each scenario. Each person in your group is responsible for completing his/her own organizer.