DISS Quarter 1 Week 1-2 Grade 11 - The Nature and Functions of Social Science Disciplines

Summary

This video explores the nature and functions of social science disciplines, contrasting them with natural sciences and humanities. It highlights the study of human behavior, societal structures, and the role of social sciences in addressing complex issues such as inequality, economic growth, and social inclusion. The video provides an overview of key social science disciplines, including anthropology, economics, psychology, political science, and sociology, along with their methods, branches, and applications. It also compares social sciences with natural sciences, emphasizing the unique approaches and commonalities between both fields.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social science studies human society, social relationships, and institutions, helping us understand complex issues like inequality, economic growth, and social behavior.
• 😀 Social science informs policy-making by providing insights for governments and organizations to address societal problems, such as social inequality.
• 😀 Social science emerged in the 19th century with pioneers like Emile Durkheim and Auguste Comte, focusing on understanding human behavior and social structures.
• 😀 Research methods in social science include observation, experiments, surveys, interviews, and case studies, though findings can be influenced by researchers' interpretations.
• 😀 Limitations of social science include challenges in isolating variables, ethical concerns, and financial constraints.
• 😀 Disciplines within social science include anthropology, economics, geography, history, linguistics, political science, psychology, sociology, and demography.
• 😀 Anthropology explores human culture, evolution, and diversity, with branches like cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, and linguistic anthropology.
• 😀 Economics examines the production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services, with branches like microeconomics, macroeconomics, and labor economics.
• 😀 Geography studies Earth's landscapes and human-environment relationships, with branches like physical geography, human geography, and environmental geography.
• 😀 Natural sciences, which emerged in the Renaissance period, focus on explaining natural phenomena through empirical and systematic methods, with branches like life sciences and physical sciences.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of social science?

Social science is primarily focused on the study of human society and social relationships. It aims to understand how societies function, how individuals interact within them, and how social structures and institutions influence behavior.

How does social science contribute to solving societal issues?

Social science helps address complex societal issues such as economic growth, inequality, voting behavior, social inclusion, and cultural diversity. By understanding these issues, social science informs policy-making, helping governments and organizations develop targeted solutions.

Who were the pioneers in the development of social science?

Pioneers such as Emile Durkheim and Auguste Comte laid the groundwork for the systematic study of society, particularly in the 19th century.

What are some common methods used in social science research?

Common methods include observation, experiments, interviews, surveys, and case studies. These methods help gather data on human behavior and societal dynamics.

What are the limitations of social science research?

Limitations in social science research include the interpretative nature of findings, the complexity of isolating variables, ethical concerns regarding privacy and consent, and financial constraints that limit the scope of research.

How does anthropology differ from other social science disciplines?

Anthropology studies humans, their ancestors, and cultures, with a focus on understanding human diversity and cultural practices. It has branches such as cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, archaeology, and linguistic anthropology.

What is the main focus of economics as a social science discipline?

Economics focuses on the study of how goods and services are produced, consumed, and distributed. It analyzes economic behavior and guides policy decisions through branches like microeconomics, macroeconomics, development economics, international economics, and labor economics.

What distinguishes geography as a social science?

Geography studies the Earth's landscapes, environments, and the relationships between people and their surroundings. It includes physical geography, human geography, GIS (geographical information systems), and environmental geography.

How does history contribute to our understanding of society?

History provides context and significance for past events, showing how they impact present and future societal structures. It includes branches like ancient, medieval, modern, and economic history.

How does sociology study human behavior?

Sociology focuses on social behavior and social institutions, analyzing interactions, structures, and changes. It includes areas like social theory, social research, education, family structures, and urban sociology. It also examines concepts like structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.