2006-11-27 10:42:24 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Sociology
All the above answers are entirely correct, but I just wanted to add one thing that's useful when trying to figure out the social sciences. Basically psychology, sociology, and anthropology (to name three big ones) are all studying humans. The primary difference lies within the focus.
Psychology is individual focused; even when it implicates society it is virtually always within the context of the individual.
Sociology and anthropology are basically the same in that they approach humans from the other direction; even when they talk about individual's, they're usually talking about them in the context of broader society. The primary difference between anthro and soc is the history of the two disciplines: anthro historically studied other cultures, while soc studied its own culture. This distinction is beginning to break down, however, with sociologist studying abroad and anthropology looking in our backyard.
Personally, I would place politics and history on the far side of sociology (virtually no focus on the individual except for "exceptional" individuals or leaders), and economics is studying human relations within the realm of monetary exchange which can happen at both individual and societal levels.
2006-11-27 11:05:41 · answer #1 · answered by George the Flea 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sociology is a social science whose perspective is that the human mind is socially constructed; i.e., how a person thinks and acts is rooted in how society shapes that person.
This perspective is quite different than that of the other 3 social sciences: psychology, economics & political science. Psychology roots the human mind to the person's own physiology and development. Economics roots the human mind to that of a "rational animal" in which the person essentially makes all decisions based on the allocation of scarce resources. Political Science views the human mind as being rooted in power and influence.
2006-11-29 00:16:33 · answer #2 · answered by kingthunder1972 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sociology is the study of human social behavior, especially the study of the origins, organization, institutions, and development of human society. In others words how society and people interact w/ each other and the causes.
2006-11-27 18:48:44 · answer #3 · answered by Annie 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sociology is the study of society and human social action.
2006-11-27 18:50:30 · answer #4 · answered by smoochesjf 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. The study of human social behavior, especially the study of the origins, organization, institutions, and development of human society.
2. Analysis of a social institution or societal segment as a self-contained entity or in relation to society as a whole.
2006-11-27 18:50:37 · answer #5 · answered by Yahoo! Surfer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THE DISCOURSE OF A ELEMENT OF TRUTH SWAYING THOUGHTS TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF
2006-11-28 00:42:29 · answer #6 · answered by bev 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋