1 / 29

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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSIdaTSG2Gg&feature=player_embedded#at=39. Scientific/ Inquiry Method. The Inquiry Method.

geri
Download Presentation

Introduction to Social Sciences

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. 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 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSIdaTSG2Gg&feature=player_embedded#at=39

  2. Scientific/ Inquiry Method

  3. The Inquiry Method • Many disciplines in social sciences use the scientific method (called the inquiry method in our course) i.e. research question, hypothesis, research, conclusions… • The inquiry method is used to gather data and information when studying the behaviour, trends and statistics regarding society, individuals and groups

  4. 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…

  5. And those as the heart of this course: • Sociology – examines human society and group behaviour (macro level) • Psychology– studies the human mind, emotions, behaviours of individuals (micro level) • Anthropology – considers the scientific study of humans, especially of their origin, behaviour and physical, social, and cultural development (macro level)

  6. Scenario – A person who commits suicide

  7. Anthropologist (cultural)  – What factors contribute to depression in this culture? • Psychologist – What mental state were they in weeks before suicides • Sociologist – Why do people in this age group have a high rate of suicide?

  8. Three techniques used by social scientists: • 1) Conduct Experiments • 2) Collecting and analyzing statistics • 3) Contemplating other people's work in the past The importance of social sciences: • 1) Social scientists can identify a problem and/or factors leading to a problems • 2) Social scientists can help people make informed decisions about issues

  9. Anthropologyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUGiSXXdse0&feature=relatedAnthropologyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUGiSXXdse0&feature=related • Anthropology is the study of humankind. The field is divided into two areas: cultural anthropology and physical anthropology. • Anthropologists use reasoning to gain insight into how humans live, think, communicate, produce, and interact with their social and physical environments. Humans are part of a group of mammals called primates. This group includes gorillas and chimpanzees, among others. How do you think studying these animals can help us understand ourselves?

  10. Anthropology: • Aims to describe what it means to be human • Study of human life throughout history • Anthropologist study how humans think, live, communicate, produce, and interact with their social and physical environment • Anthropology study both the differences/similarities of people and their respective cultures • Study of the lives/cultures of human beings, alive or dead

  11. Branches of Anthropology: • Physical > Study of human evolution, human biology & other primates • Cultural > Compares cultures of living people in different cultural settings around the world • Social > focuses on social organization of living peoples

  12. Culture • The Latin translation of culture (cultura) is “to cultivate” • The dictionary definition for culture is “the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another.”

  13. Careers in Anthropology: • Studying anthropology can lead to a wide range of careers, including: • Archaeological fieldworker • cultural artifact specialist • museum worker • forensic anthropologist • art conservator

  14. Psychologyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2w7KrQRk6g • Psychology is the study of the human mind and its mental states. • It includes the study of characteristics of temperament and behaviour of a person or group • Psychologists aim to describe, predict, and control behaviour and mental processes. • They study individuals as well as groups. Sports psychology is a growing field. How might a sports psychologist help an athlete to improve his or her performance?

  15. Psychology & Social Phenomena • Psychology explores social interaction, but from a smaller perspective (as opposed to a larger one, like anthropology and sometimes sociology). • Because of this perspective, psychologists often research how individuals function, develop, survive, and thrive • Psychologists pose important questions concerning how our mental processes affect our social behaviour and interactions

  16. Careers in Psychology • Studying psychology can lead to a variety of careers, including: • psychologist • Therapist • human rights worker • police officer • mental health worker • social worker • marketing specialist • Forensic psychologist

  17. Sociologyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GwWTxEw3k8 • Sociology is the study of human social life, groups, and societies. • It also involves studying the behaviour of individuals and groups, as well as social institutions. • Sociologists study such areas as gerontology, politics, culture, economy, religion, and crime. • They examine organizations, social movements, collective behaviour, social institutions, and social identities. What is happening in this photo? How do you think Sociology would examine this?

  18. Social Interaction • Sociologists often research how individuals and groups function, develop, survive, and thrive • Sociologists pose important questions concerning how our societies function and interact

  19. Written vs. Unwritten Rules • Rules are important for society to function, but not all are written • What are some examples of written rules and unwritten rules? • Who comes up with these rules? • Why do we follow them?

  20. Society • Latin translation is “a friendly association with others” • Dictionary definition is “a highly structured system of human organization for large-scale community living that normally furnishes protection, continuity, security, and a national identity for its members.”

  21. Ants • Does an ant colony fit the definition of society? • structured system • large-scale community • furnishes protection, continuity, security

  22. Facebook • Is Facebook a society? • structured system • large-scale community • furnishes protection, continuity, security?

  23. Careers in Sociology: • Possible careers to pursue from the study of sociology include: • urban planner, • human rights educator, • parole officer, • social worker, • family and child services worker, • corrections officer, • police officer, • child care worker, • substance abuse counselor, • group home worker.

  24. Comparison of the 3 Disciplines in HSP3M – Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology

  25. Activity: • Read through the following article and make notes on your chart under ‘Topics of Study’ • - how do each of the disciplines examine the issue?

  26. Your Task... • In groups of 2-3, brainstorm topics that you feel are major social issues in today’s society. • The challenge is to see if you can identify how those issues would be studied under each of the 3 disciplines. • Make a list in your notebook – can be done in point form. Each person in the group must make their own notes. • Be prepared to share your ideas and topics.

More Related