Sociology and Anthropology are social science disciplines that focus on studying the behavior of humans within their societies. ... The key difference between the two social sciences is that sociologyconcentrates on society while anthropology focuses on culture.
WHAT ARE THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY?
The difference is that anthropology focuses more on the culture or cultures of one or more societies, whereas sociologists tend to focus more on social hierarchies and interactions. Anthropologists also study hominid evolution, physical characteristics of human populations, and, to a lesser extent, primate behavior.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY?
Key Difference: Anthropology is the study of humanity that focuses on the culture, behavior and biology and the effect of changing time on them. Sociology is the branch of study that specifically deals with the society. ... Psychology is related to the study of the human mind and human behavior.
Sociology
Sociology is the study of social life and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. In the words of C. Wright Mills, sociology looks for the "public issues" that underlie "private troubles." Sociology differs from popular notions of human behavior in that it uses systematic, scientific methods of investigation and questions many of the common sense and taken-for-granted views of our social world. Sociological thinking involves taking a closer look at our social world and recognizing that most often things are not necessarily what they seem. A sociologist understands unemployment, for example, not as the problem of one person who can't find a job, but as the interaction of economic, political, and social forces that determine the number of jobs and who has access to them.
Anthropology
Anthropology is a broad, holistic study of human beings and includes the subfields of archaeology, physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Anthropologists study human beings from a very broad and comparative perspective. We are interested in human experience around the world, past and present. Cultural anthropologists study cultures—from our own culture to those different from our owns—by living in the culture and gaining the insiders' point of view.
Commonalities
Notice that while sociology and anthropology have different emphases—one examines social structures, the other focuses on culture—there is much that they have in common.
Both look at the "big picture," are interested in the way society influences people's lives, and strive to promote understanding. Recognizing these similarities, our major blends the two areas of study. For those with a strong interest in one discipline or the other, it is possible to select courses with a primary focus in either, but we encourage our majors to explore and draw on the insights from both disciplines.
Having two disciplines in one department allows us to offer unique learning situations. Our curriculum includes a number of courses that combine sociological and anthropological thinking, including courses on social movements, health and healing, global interdependence, religion, family, and social justice. There are a number of opportunities at Gustavus to develop a better understanding of the social world we live in through a variety of study abroad, internship, and volunteer activities.
Sociologists and anthropologists study the social structures that create order and meaning in human societies and cultures as well as the pressures and contradictions that produce patterns of conflict and change. Complex social issues such as globalization, nationalism, race relations, social movements, and social inequalities are the focus of Swarthmore's Sociology and Anthropology Department. Students explore these themes in the classroom and through fieldwork and independent research.
At Swarthmore, we view sociology and anthropology as disciplines engaged in a common intellectual task. Sociology and anthropology analyze individual experiences and connect them to larger social issues. The disciplines illustrate how matters that are often perceived as "personal problems" are actually consequences of social structures, including the gender, ethnic, or racial dynamics of society. The goal of sociology and anthropology is not merely to acquire knowledge about different societies, but also to critically engage with the complexities of social life. Understanding the dynamics of society is also one of the first steps toward social change.
The study of Anthropology and Sociology helps you examine how you act and relate to other people, providing important understandings and useful skills for living and working in a changing, multicultural society and globalising world.
Importance Of Sociology
In all ages and human times ever since out erect and restless species appeared upon the planet, men have been living with others of their kind in something called societies. Prior to the emergence of sociology the study of society was carried on in an unscientific manner and society had never been the central concern of any science. It is through the study of sociology that the truly scientific study of the society has been possible. Sociology alone studies social relationships, society itself. Sociology is interested in social relationships not because they are economic or political or religious or legal but because they are at the same time social. Sociology study how the relations combine, how they build up smaller or greater systems and how they respond to changes and changing needs or demands. Therefore the study of sociology is essentially analytical.
Sociology because of its bearing upon many of the problems of the present world has assumed such a great importance that it is considered to be the best approach to all the social sciences. Giddings have rightly pointed out, 'Sociology tells us how to become what we want to be.'
Sociology studies society in a scientific way
Before the emergence of sociology there was no systematic and scientific attempt to study human society with all its complexities. Sociology has made it possible to study society in a scientific manner. This scientific knowledge about human society is needed in order to achieve progress in various fields.
Sociology throws more light on the social nature of man
Sociology delves deep into the social nature of man. It tells us why man is a social animal, why he lives in a group, communities and societies. It examines the relationship between individual and society, the impact of society on man and other matters.
Sociology increases the power of social action
The science of society assists an individual to understand himself, his capacities, talents and limitations. It enables him to adjust himself to the environment. Knowledge of society, social groups, social institutions, associations, their functions etc. helps us to lead an effective social life.
Sociology studies role of the institutions in the development of the individuals
It is through sociology that scientific study of the great social institutions and the relation of the individual to each is being made. The home and family, the school and education, the church and religion, the state and government, industry and work, the community and association, these are institutions through which society functions. Sociology studies these institutions and their role in the development of the individual and suggests suitable measures for strengthening them with a view to enable them to serve the individual better.
Study of sociology is indispensable for understanding and planning of society
Society is a complex phenomenon with a multitude of intricacies. It is impossible to understand and solve its numerous problems without support of sociology. It is rightly said that we cannot understand and mend society without any knowledge of its mechanism and construction. Without the investigation carried out by sociology no real effective social planning would be possible. It helps us to determine the most efficient means for reaching the goals agreed upon. A certain amount of knowledge about society is necessary before any social policies can be carried out.
Sociology is of great importance in the solution of social problems
The present world is suffering from many problems that can be solved through scientific study of the society. It is the task of sociology to study the social problems through the methods of scientific research and to find out solution to them. The scientific study of human affairs will ultimately provide the body of knowledge and principles that will enable us to control the conditions of social life and improve them.
Sociology has drawn our attention to the intrinsic worth and dignity of man
Sociology has been instrumental in changing our attitude towards human beings. In a specialized society we are all limited as to the amount of the whole organization and culture that we can experience directly. We can hardly know the people of other areas intimately. In order to have insight into and appreciation of the motives by which others live and the conditions under which they exist knowledge of sociology is essential.
Sociology has changed our outlook with regard to the problems of crime
It is through the study of sociology that our whole outlook on various aspects of crime has change. The criminals are now treated as human beings suffering from mental deficiencies and efforts are accordingly made to rehabilitate them as useful members of the society.
Sociology has made great contribution to enrich human culture
Human culture has been made richer by the contribution of sociology. The social phenomenon is now understood in the light of scientific knowledge and enquiry. According to Lowie most of us harbor the comfortable delusion that our way of doing things is the only sensible if not only possible one. Sociology has given us training to have rational approach to questions concerning oneself, one's religion, customs, morals and institutions. It has further taught us to be objective, critical and dispassionate. It enables man to have better understanding both of himself and of others. By comparative study of societies and groups other than his existence, his life becomes richer and fuller than it would otherwise be. Sociology also impresses upon us the necessity of overcoming narrow personal prejudices, ambitions and class hatred.
Sociology is of great importance in the solution of international problems
The progress made by physical sciences has brought the nations of the world nearer to each other. But in the social field the world has been left behind by the revolutionary progress of the science. The world is divided politically giving rise to stress and conflict. Men have failed to bring in peace. Sociology can help us in understanding the underlying causes and tensions.
The value of sociology lies in the fact that it keeps us update on modern situations
It contributes to making good citizens and finding solutions to the community problems. It adds to the knowledge of the society. It helps the individual find his relation to society. The study of social phenomena and of the ways and means of promoting what Giddens calls social adequacy is one of the most urgent needs of the modern society. Sociology has a strong appeal to all types of mind through its direct bearing upon many of the initial problems of the present world.
Study of society has helped governments to promote the welfare of the tribal and marginalized communities
The tribal and marginalized communities face many socio-economic and cultural problems. Studies conducted by sociologists and anthropologists regarding tribal societies and problems have helped governments in undertaking social welfare measures and programmes for the welfare purposes.
Sociology is useful as a teaching subject
Sociology is a profession in which technical competence brings its own rewards. Sociologists those trained in research procedures are contributing in business, government, industry, social sector, communications and many other areas of community life. Sociology has now become practical enough to be practiced in the other fields prominently in local, state, national and international levels.
Areas of Sociology
Updated on August 4, 2017
Seven Areas of Sociology
The term “sociology” was coined by August Comte in the nineteenth century from the Latin word “socios” (companion with others) and the Greek word “logos” (reason) to describe the new science of social life.
While sociology has changed a lot since Comte's day, it is still an important discipline that helps us understand the world we live and how we live in it. Currently, there are seven major areas of sociology. This article will briefly discuss these areas and why sociologists are interested in them.
1. Social Organization
Social organization refers to a pattern of relationships between and among different groups and individual people. Social organization could be said to the fundamental basis of modern society, as it allows for the carrying out of very complex activities that other members of society either participate in or are affected by.
Identifying and classifying different groupings of people is a crucial job for sociologists. Typically, sociologists define a group as consisting of at least two members who:
- interact with each other,
- have a sense of identity or belonging,
- share norms or expectations that those outside the group do not.
While the larger society of a particular nation is itself an example of social organization, that society is in turn made up of a collection of organized groups of interacting individuals. It is precisely how those groups interact and organize that sociologists study.
Typically, when sociologists discuss social organizations, they are referring to:
- Social institutions, such as the family or school.
- Social groups, such as professional associations, or voluntary organizations like the Kiwanis Club or neighborhood associations.
- Social inequality, which groups people according to class, such as the middle-class, working class, underclass, upper class, etc.
- Religious groups, such as churches and affiliated charities.
- Bureaucracies, including government agencies administrative units.
2. Sociological Social Psychology
Sociological social psychology emphasizes the relationship between individual people and the larger social structures and processes in which they participate. While the study of social organization and structure is the defining core of sociology, all social structure comes out of interactions between individuals. So, to understand the significance, nature, and effects of social structure, we need to understand the the people whose behavior constitutes that structure.
Major areas of study include deviance, socialization, group dynamics, health, race and ethnicity, and gender. Sociologists in this field have studied some really interesting subjects, such as obedience and disobedience during the Holocaust, the psychological consequences of work and family life, and the attitudes of minority groups to the cultural mainstream.
3. Social Change
Sociologists are interested in studying both “what is” and “what changes.” In this sense, social change refers to any alteration in how a society is organized. Sociologists thus seek to explain the causes and affects of these social changes.
Some theories of social change emphasize evolutionary explanations. These theories hold that society develops from simple to increasingly complex forms of organization. Social change, then, is linear and progressive.
Sociologists typically identify a few key factors that influence social change:
- The physical environment. Changes in the environment, such as climate change, may require different forms of social organization in order for humans to survive. Very rapid changes in the physical environment can cause severe disruptions to social and cultural life.
- Population changes. Migrations and conquest bring new people into new places, which in turn can lead to forms of social change.
- Isolation and contact. Societies that are cut off from the larger world may change very quickly once they come into contact with outside cultures and peoples.
- Technology. Advances in technology, such as the car or airplane, can dramatically change social organization as these new technologies offer new ways for people to interact.
Major topics of study for this field include: ecological changes, population, migration, technological change, new production techniques, culture change, political processes, social transformation, modernization, mass communication, and the impact of natural disaster.
4. Human Ecology
This is the study of the nature and behavior of a given population and its interaction with the surrounding environment. Specifically, it focuses on how social structures adapt to the quality and quantity of natural resources and to the existence of other human groups
Studies of this kind have shown the prevalence of mental illness, criminality, delinquency, prostitution, and drug addiction in urban centers and other modern, developed locales.
5. Population and Demographics
This area of study is concerned with the study of population number, composition, change, and quality and how these factors influence the larger economic, social, and political systems.
This area also focuses on things such as fertility and mortality rates, the impact of migration on the distribution of certain populations. Examples of topics that sociologists in this field study include trends in population growth and how those trends are affected by fertility, mortality, and migration rates, how population is distributed over a particular area (for example, segregation), poverty and inequality.
6. Applied Sociology
This field is concerned with using sociological problems to solve social problems. For instance, some of the main social problems where I live include squatters, prostitution, too-large families, nurse shortages, and poor nutrition. An applied sociologist would bring his or her knowledge to bear on how to solve these problems.
Let's take a look and see what that might look like:
Squatters
Squatters are usually newcomers to urban areas who live on land or in buildings that don't belong to them. An applied sociologist would wonder why squatters came to the city in the first place. The research variables to analyze would include the squatters' background, their employment and educational history, their occupation and sources of income.
The sociologist might discover that squatters migrate to the city to find gainful employment but can't find a job that suits their educational qualifications. They are usually farmers, fishermen, laborers on unskilled workers. Lack of income is the primary reason squatters can't afford to buy their own house and land.
Prostitution
An applied sociologist might learn that prostitution and squatting have many of the same causes. Usually, squatter areas are breeding grounds for prostitution, drug abuse, and illegal gambling. The research variables may still focus on low income and unemployment.
Migration of Nurses
Why might nurses prefer to work in other countries? Likely because of the high salary that nurses can earn in the US, Europe, and Canada. Compared to a staff nurse in a government hospital, nurses working abroad can make 10 times as much.
The research variables to study the migration of nurses include salary, overtime pay, the exchange rate, and the country that they want to work.
Poor Nutrition
Since children are typically the ones most affected by poor nutrition, the research variables for this social problem would include: the family income, food intake, and family employment. Low income and unemployment is usually the cause of poor nutrition.
7. Sociological Methods & Research
This field is concerned with the applicability of sociological principles and insights to study and regulate peoples' social environment. It represents an effort to build and develop theories that can explain people's actions and behaviors.
very usefull..
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