SOCIAL SCIENCES: CHARACTERISTICS, CLASSIFICATION, WHAT IT STUDIES - CULTURE VOCABULARY

The social sciences can be defined as those scientific disciplines that are dedicated to the study and objective analysis of the events that occur in society. In other words, the social sciences are dedicated to the study of man's behavior within his social environment.

In turn, these disciplines analyze both individual and collective behavior of human beings, in order to understand the particularities or regularities that occur in social institutions.

The object of study of the social sciences is society and what influences it. Source: pixabay.com

Scholars of these sciences, dedicated to understanding the social world, guide their guidelines through two fundamental questions: why do certain social and historical phenomena occur and what are the conditions that produce them. From these conjectures the analysis of collective behaviors is facilitated.

The social sciences cover a wide range of disciplines and areas, including anthropology, communication, political science, economics, education, demography, history, linguistics, psychology, geography, semiology, and sociology.

Origin and history

The Ancient Age

The social sciences, as is the case with most epistemes and knowledge, was born at the dawn of ancient philosophy, when the first civilizations that had writing began to develop.

However, in the Ancient Age there was no distinction between the different areas of knowledge, so mathematics, poetry, history and politics were studied as the same discipline; This caused the application of a scientific framework within the different forms of knowledge.

Illustration

During the Enlightenment period, a change occurred in the way of delimiting knowledge, since a distinction was created between natural philosophy (of a more scientific nature) and moral philosophy, which was inspired by the ideals of the era of revolutions, such as the French and Industrial Revolutions.

In the 18th century, the social sciences emerged as they are known today thanks to the studies of Rousseau, Diderot and other French authors. From this moment the term “social sciences” began to be used; however, it was strongly related to positivism.

Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim

The French philosopher Auguste Comte had a notable influence on the development of the social sciences, since he allowed the opening of new avenues for the knowledge of these disciplines.

One of these routes was known as "social research", which consisted of a large number of statistical samples developed in some European countries and in the United States.

Another scholar of notable importance for the development of the social sciences was Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist well known for studying "social facts"; Also important was the work done by Vilfredo Pareto, who introduced individual theories and meta-theoretical ideas.

For his part, Max Weber implanted the methodological dichotomy, which allowed the identification of the social phenomenon. Another method of studying the social sciences was based on the economic discipline, since it promoted economic knowledge following the guidelines of a "hard science".

The social sciences in the early twentieth century and contemporary times

In the 20th century the ideals of the Enlightenment had undergone various criticisms and changes: for example, mathematical studies in different fields were replaced by experimental studies, since they analyzed the equations to develop a theoretical structure.

As a consequence, the subfields of the social disciplines became more quantitative within the methodology.

Statistics became an independent area of applied mathematics, since statistical processes achieved greater reliability. Likewise, some disciplines of the natural sciences took certain investigative formulas from the social sciences, such as sociobiology and bioeconomics.

In contemporary times, scholars such as Talcott Parsons and Karl Popper developed the research area of the social sciences in greater depth.

This had the purpose of discovering which methodology would be the most appropriate to connect the different disciplines with each other, since at present there are numerous methods that are modified with technological advances.

characteristics

Throughout history the social sciences have been subjected to strong discussions, since it has been conflicting to define them and define what constitutes them. Despite this conflict regarding the delimitations of the social sciences, it can be established that these disciplines have the following main characteristics:

Methodology

One of the outstanding characteristics of all science is the methodology it uses. This can be divided into two: deductive or inductive methodology.

The social sciences mainly use the mixed inductive method, which allows the probability of arguments and rules to be calculated. In the case of mathematics, they use only the pure deductive method.

The scientific and social disciplines have debated for decades about what a science is, since in its beginnings the natural sciences were taken as an example. However, it has been determined that the object of study in the social sciences (society) cannot be framed within the guidelines that the natural sciences follow.

This is mainly due to the fact that institutions and social systems establish a series of limits regarding the development of certain experiments, which modifies the possible results and the qualitative effects.

Epistemology and scientific description

Since its inception, the social sciences have sought to get rid of the philosophical method and approach a completely scientific ideal.

However, the psychologist William James expressed that the social sciences cannot be considered science but science projects, since they cannot provide any law, unlike disciplines such as physics.

In other words, according to William James, the social sciences are made up of generalizations, dialogues and classifications, remaining on a purely descriptive plane; these disciplines cannot provide exact laws that translate into absolute consequences.

To solve this problem, the social sciences must organize knowledge in an axiomatic way, following the parameters established by Baruch de Spinoza.

This cannot guarantee the veracity of the descriptions; However, it allows us to adhere to the scientific character that the social sciences are so seeking.

Interdisciplinarity

The social sciences are characterized by their interdisciplinarity, since they need each other to offer better deductions and results.

For example, sociology must relate to psychology and social history, as well as human geography. For its part, cultural anthropology must be linked to urbanism, demography and philosophy.

Sociology has been the discipline most open to receiving benefits from other areas; however, the other social sciences have not been so interested in establishing interdependencies.

This has been strongly criticized by some scholars, who assure that the scarce intercommunication between social disciplines damages their optimal development.

What do the social sciences study? (object of study)

The object of study of all the social sciences consists of man as a social being; that is to say, in humans as social and communicative entities.

For this reason, these disciplines are linked to all those activities and behaviors that are carried out in the environment of human beings.

Consequently, disciplines of this type seek to analyze the manifestations of both symbolic and material societies. Because of this, the social sciences are also often defined as the human sciences, although some critics prefer to make distinctions in this category.

Currently, the social sciences form a fundamental part of educational training, especially in Primary Education and Secondary Education.

This is because, even though the social sciences cannot formulate universal laws, they allow a more empathetic and versatile understanding of the world around us, dramatically expanding the minds of the youngest.

Classification of social sciences: branches

The social science classification is divided into science focused on social interaction, science focused on the cognitive system, and applied social science.

For some scholars, the division of some branches of the social sciences has been conflicting, since some disciplines are largely related to the natural sciences.

-Science focused on social interaction

Anthropology

This branch of the social sciences is dedicated to studying the human being in an integral way, considering both their animal characteristics and their culture, as well as their anatomy.

In order to carry out its studies, anthropology must be based both on some knowledge of the natural sciences and on certain elements of the social sciences.

The objective of anthropology is to collect knowledge of man in his different spheres, taking into account social structures, biological evolution, and cultural and linguistic features.

The facets that anthropology studies became so complex that many of these became independent disciplines; this happened with archeology, social anthropology and linguistics. However, these branches continue to maintain a dialogue with each other.

Communication

Also known as communicology, it is the social science in charge of studying and analyzing all social phenomena that are related to communication and information, such as the mass media.

This branch is so broad today that it had to build its own analytical tools and study methods.

The communication sciences are considered as interdisciplinary fields of study, since their main concepts are influenced by other social disciplines, such as psychology, anthropology, sociology and sociolinguistics.

Education

Educational sciences are called the set of disciplines or fields of study that are interested in the scientific analysis of educational aspects within a society or a given culture.

Consequently, it can be established that education explains, analyzes, describes and understands educational phenomena in the different social facets. Education is a very complex concept that not only involves the social sciences, but also the humanities.

One of the objectives of the educational sciences is to contribute to the evolution of educational methods in order to promote better ways of learning. This social science usually works as a team with the institutions in charge of imparting knowledge to other individuals.

Sociology

It consists of social science whose main objective is to scientifically analyze human society based on its operation. In other words, sociology studies those phenomena of a collective nature that are produced by social activities between human beings, these being influenced by their cultural and historical context.

Sociology has its origins in some renowned authors such as Auguste Comte, Émile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Beatrice Webb and Marianne Weber, among others.

Ethnography

This is the science that describes the different cultures that exist around the world.

The method used consists of the description of such cultures from experience, from participant observation.

-Science focused on the human cognitive system

Linguistics

Linguistics is a social science that can be defined as the scientific study of natural languages and their structure, taking into account a series of aspects such as historical evolution, internal structure and the information that speakers have about their own language.

One of the most important works that allowed the opening of linguistics as it is known today was the Cours de linguistique générale, by Ferdinand de Saussure, a linguist of Swiss nationality.

Psychology

Psychology is a social science that deals with the study of human experience; This is done for educational, employment and health purposes.

In addition, psychology focuses mainly on the different mental processes to which an individual is subjected by his own intention or by factors around him that influence him.

Different aspects have been developed in psychology that support different aspects; for example, the current of humanism considers that the scientific method is not indicated to study human behavior. On the other hand, behaviorism considers that behaviors must be measured and calculated objectively.

-Sciences related to the evolution of societies

Politic science

Political science, also known as political science, is the social science in charge of studying the practice and theory of politics, as well as its systems and phenomena within a society.

Consequently, its objective is to establish explanations about the functioning of politics by observing political facts within empirical reality.

Furthermore, political science is closely related to other social sciences such as economics, law, and sociology, depending on their research needs. In turn, this discipline uses a wide variety of methodological tools, based, for example, on institutionalism.

Right

Law is a science that deals with laws and their application. It originated from the institutionalization of the State.

Law as a science, studies the rules that govern human behavior. The content and character of social relationships are the basis of law.

Economy

Also known as economic science, economics is that social science that is mainly responsible for three elements, these being the following:

1- The study of the production, extraction, distribution, exchange and consumption of the different services or goods of a given society.

2- The registration and study of the ways to satisfy the different human needs through a series of resources that are limited.

3- The analysis and study of the way in which societies, communities or people function, prosper or survive.

Consequently, economic science can be defined as a discipline in charge of studying the way in which a society or population is organized to produce or acquire its means of existence, which are consumed and distributed among themselves.

This cycle is carried out constantly, which can generate phenomena or possible changes that can be both positive and negative.

Economic analysis is not only used by economics, but can and should be implemented in other aspects of life as well, such as governments, finance, education, and even healthcare.

In fact, the importance of the economy is so overwhelming that it clearly and deeply permeates other areas such as science, religion and war, among others.

Semiology

Semiology or semiotics is a branch of social knowledge that is responsible for analyzing the communication systems of societies or populations, taking into account the general properties of signs as a fundamental basis for understanding all activity of human beings.

One of the fundamental contributions of semiology or semiotics has been the distinction between connotation and denotation, since this modifies, limits and conditions the language system of man.

Human geography

This geography is a branch of general geography whose objective is to study and analyze human communities taking into account a spatial perspective; that is, human geography is responsible for understanding the relationship that exists between the physical environment and the cultures and societies that inhabit it.

History

This social science has the object of study to know and analyze those events that have occurred in the past, especially those that are linked to humanity.

At present, a differentiation between history and historical science has been carried out, since the first consists of a narrative that can be truth or fiction, while the second seeks to record the facts with the greatest objectivity possible.

Archeology

It is the science that tries to describe ancient societies through the classification and analysis of the remains that they left intentionally or not.

By their nature, archaeological discoveries tend to be nourished by History and Anthropology.

Demography

Demography consists of that science that is in charge of studying human populations taking into account the structure, size and evolution of its members, among other general characteristics.

In other words, demography studies populations through statistics, dynamics and structure, as well as through the different processes or phenomena that cause their disappearance, formation or conservation.

For this reason, demographics are based on mortality, fertility, and migration rates (both immigration and emigration).

According to Massimo Livi Bacci, an Italian professor and politician, demography can be defined or deduced through the word “population”, since this is the main objective of said social science.

-Applied social sciences

Here are inserted the sciences that are oriented to a very specific field of human endeavor. Among the applied sciences known so far are:

Pedagogy

It is the science of education and / or training of people. Study the ways that people learn and can be taught. The first theorists of this science were Immanuel Kant and Durkheim.

Administration

It is the science that deals with everything related to the management of a company or organization. It is a discipline that includes planning, organization, direction and control to achieve certain objectives.

In the direction of achieving these objectives, the administration uses systematized tools and techniques.

It is considered a science because it uses the scientific method to develop concepts and theories, and to test the best ways to achieve the objectives of the managed organization.

library science

It is a science that applies scientific techniques for the management of information as a useful resource for society.

This information can be on different types of media and be required for different purposes.

Accounting

Accounting is a science because it is used to systematically measure and analyze the assets of an organization.

In addition, the information collected on this heritage is collected, preserved and managed in a systematic way in order to make decisions and document cases.

What are the social sciences for?

The social sciences are very important within the development of humanity since they allow us to perceive those substrates of man that are full of meaning.

This means that these disciplines provide knowledge about the perception of each culture or society, taking into account what each one considers beautiful, fair, good, true or necessary.

Furthermore, the social sciences also allow people to wonder about the historical processes, power relations, structures, and phenomena that made possible the formation of society as we know it today.

In conclusion, through the social sciences the human being is capable of deeply knowing himself and others.

References

Díaz, C. (2011) What are the social sciences for? Retrieved on May 26, 2019 from La Voz: lavoz.com.ar
Manzanos, C. (2002) Social Sciences: disciplinary convergences. Retrieved on May 26, 2019 from Redal: redayc.org
Prats, J. (sf) The social sciences in the context of scientific knowledge. Retrieved on May 26, 2019 from UB Educational history: ub.edu
A (sf) Introduction to the social sciences. Retrieved on May 26 from DGB: dgb.sep.gob.mx
A. (sf) Social Sciences. Retrieved on May 26, 2019 from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org
A. (sf) Social Science. Retrieved on May 26, 2019 from Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Zincke, M. (1970) The social sciences: concept and classification. Retrieved on May 26, 2019 from Gredos: gredos.usal.es

SOCIAL SCIENCES: CHARACTERISTICS, CLASSIFICATION, WHAT IT STUDIES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025