INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIAL SCIENCES Social Sciences The social sciences describe disciplines that explore human behavior and use the scientific method. These disciplines involve research and data collection and analysis. Social scientists apply their research to help solve problems.

THE SOCIAL SCIENCES ANTHROPOLOGY  Studies the behavior of human culture from the past and present  The study of the unity and diversity of human culture and society from a comparative and global perspective.

THE SOCIAL SCIENCES  Example of an anthropological question is: Why is death celebrated in some cultures? Eg. Days of the Dead in Mexico Eg. Days of the Dead in Mexico

THE SOCIAL SCIENCES PSYCHOLOGY  Studies the thought processes and behavior of the individual.  An example of a psychology question is: Does violent media cause people to become violent?

THE SOCIAL SCIENCES SOCIOLOGY  Studies human social life and groups in society; how people act in group situations  An example of a sociological question is: Why is crime increasing amongst lower- class income groups?

ETHICAL PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH As you might imagine in a research field involving human subjects, there are a variety of ethical problems for social science researchers. As you might imagine in a research field involving human subjects, there are a variety of ethical problems for social science researchers. Government regulations insure that most research is done according to strict guidelines with the fully informed consent of the subjects. Government regulations insure that most research is done according to strict guidelines with the fully informed consent of the subjects. –Not always been the case (e.g Milgram experiment).

ETHICAL PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH There is still some popular fear of social science research involving psychology. There is still some popular fear of social science research involving psychology. –data gathered by researchers will be used to invade privacy or to support inappropriate ends.

ETHICAL PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH A few examples of research that may involve ethical problems: A few examples of research that may involve ethical problems: –Market research used to encourage consumers to buy inappropriate products –Jury research used to disallow jurors likely to have certain values or beliefs –Polling research used to create candidate platforms and marketing approaches –Research conducted by "house" researchers to demonstrate that something is not really a problem (wide-spread gun availability is not really a problem or legalizing gambling is a social good)

SOCIAL SCIENCE PROFESSIONS Professions for the social sciences: Professions for the social sciences: Business Business Education Education Journalism Journalism Law Law Public health Public health Social work Social work Government work Government work International organizations International organizations Policing Policing Fire and Rescue Fire and Rescue