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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT considered a part of social science disciplines?
Which of the following is NOT considered a part of social science disciplines?
The humanities primarily focus on the systems of culture rather than the emotions and feelings themselves.
The humanities primarily focus on the systems of culture rather than the emotions and feelings themselves.
False
Name one emerging field that is considered a new social science.
Name one emerging field that is considered a new social science.
Cognitive science
All expressions of human culture are __________ and interdependent.
All expressions of human culture are __________ and interdependent.
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Match the following social science disciplines with their primary focus:
Match the following social science disciplines with their primary focus:
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What is one reason why social sciences are considered important?
What is one reason why social sciences are considered important?
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Social science disciplines are completely independent from one another.
Social science disciplines are completely independent from one another.
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Who coined the phrase that politics is more complex than physics?
Who coined the phrase that politics is more complex than physics?
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What does the subject matter of history primarily involve?
What does the subject matter of history primarily involve?
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The scientific method guarantees final explanations of all phenomena in the universe.
The scientific method guarantees final explanations of all phenomena in the universe.
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What must investigators always adjust according to the context of their study?
What must investigators always adjust according to the context of their study?
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The primary method for testing causal relationships in science is the _____ method.
The primary method for testing causal relationships in science is the _____ method.
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Match the fields of science to their typical methods of investigation:
Match the fields of science to their typical methods of investigation:
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Which situation limits the use of the experimental method?
Which situation limits the use of the experimental method?
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The experimental method can be fully utilized in social sciences without any limitations.
The experimental method can be fully utilized in social sciences without any limitations.
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What needs to be examined if seemingly identical situations produce different results?
What needs to be examined if seemingly identical situations produce different results?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the three major approaches used by sociologists?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three major approaches used by sociologists?
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Geography is only concerned with physical features and does not influence social and cultural development.
Geography is only concerned with physical features and does not influence social and cultural development.
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What is the significance of curiosity in scientific inquiry?
What is the significance of curiosity in scientific inquiry?
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The study of human behavior primarily falls under the domain of __________.
The study of human behavior primarily falls under the domain of __________.
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Match the following geographic concerns with their definitions:
Match the following geographic concerns with their definitions:
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Which of the following attitudes is NOT essential for successful scientific inquiry?
Which of the following attitudes is NOT essential for successful scientific inquiry?
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History aims to explain past events and cannot be related to the present.
History aims to explain past events and cannot be related to the present.
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Why are traditional ways of doing things seen as a danger to the group in preliterate societies?
Why are traditional ways of doing things seen as a danger to the group in preliterate societies?
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What is a feature of natural experiments in social science research?
What is a feature of natural experiments in social science research?
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Social scientists can always use controlled experiments to solve problems involving large groups of people.
Social scientists can always use controlled experiments to solve problems involving large groups of people.
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What are the three main subject matters of economics?
What are the three main subject matters of economics?
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Political science studies social arrangements to maintain _____ and order within society.
Political science studies social arrangements to maintain _____ and order within society.
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Which of the following topics is NOT included in the study of economics?
Which of the following topics is NOT included in the study of economics?
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Match the following terms to their definitions:
Match the following terms to their definitions:
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A social experiment must possess the ability to replicate results to be considered valid.
A social experiment must possess the ability to replicate results to be considered valid.
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_____ is the method by which social scientists study policy issues using computer models of interacting individuals.
_____ is the method by which social scientists study policy issues using computer models of interacting individuals.
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Which of the following functions does government NOT perform?
Which of the following functions does government NOT perform?
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Einstein's relativity theory was initially well accepted by the scientific community.
Einstein's relativity theory was initially well accepted by the scientific community.
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What is often used to describe the process of how a new scientific theory gains acceptance?
What is often used to describe the process of how a new scientific theory gains acceptance?
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According to Imre Lakatos, in social science, there are generally more competing research __________.
According to Imre Lakatos, in social science, there are generally more competing research __________.
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Match the following theories or paradigms to their respective fields within social sciences:
Match the following theories or paradigms to their respective fields within social sciences:
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Study Notes
Social Science Defined
- Social science deals with the study of human behavior and social structures.
- It is closely related to Humanities but distinguishes itself by focusing on the systematic analysis of patterns and structures within society.
- Social science encompasses a wide range of disciplines that analyze human interactions, cultures, and societies.
- It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the social world, including the factors that shape human behavior and influence social change.
Importance of Social Science
- Social science helps us understand the conditions that limit our lives and the opportunities available for improving the human condition.
- It highlights the interconnectivity of various aspects of human culture and emphasizes the need for knowledge across disciplines.
- Social science provides insights into the complex dynamics of societies and contributes to our understanding of current world events.
Social Science Disciplines
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- History
- Geography
- Economics
- Political science
- Psychology
- Newer disciplines, such as cognitive science and sociobiology, are constantly emerging as social science knowledge expands.
- Social science disciplines are interconnected, and their boundaries can be fluid.
Sociological Perspectives
- Sociology employs various theoretical frameworks to explain social phenomena, including:
- Functionalism
- Conflict theory
- Interactionism
- These perspectives offer different lenses through which to analyze social structures, power dynamics, and individual interactions.
- Sociology studies people in various contexts, including their social groups, interactions, environmental impact, and responses to systems of control.
The Scientific Method in Social Science
- The scientific method is a vital tool for social science research.
- It provides a framework for establishing reliable knowledge and understanding of social phenomena.
- The scientific method helps identify and validate causal relationships in the social world.
Geography as a Social Science
- Geography focuses on the natural environment and its influence on social and cultural development.
- It examines topics such as:
- Ecology
- Climate
- Resources
- Accessibility
- Demography
Conditions Favorable to Scientific Inquiry
- Scientific inquiry thrives in societies that foster a culture of curiosity, skepticism, and objectivity.
- Curiosity drives the pursuit of knowledge and motivates questions about "why" and "how."
- Skepticism encourages critical examination of established explanations and reevaluation of evidence.
- Objectivity is essential for impartial investigation, minimizing the impact of personal biases and preconceptions on scientific findings.
- Traditional societies often present significant obstacles to scientific inquiry, placing greater emphasis on customs and established practices.
History as a Social Science
- History is a social science that aims to systematically explain past events and connect them to the present.
- It recognizes the contextual nature of events and explores topics such as:
- Historical significance
- The variety of historical narratives
- The role of history in predicting and understanding future events
The Scientific Method and its Limitations
- The scientific method operates on the principle of cause and effect, assuming that under identical circumstances, the same results will occur.
- Discrepancies in outcomes suggest that the initial situations were not identical, requiring further investigation to identify the missing variables.
- While science offers explanations, it does not provide definitive answers to all mysteries.
- Time, space, and existence itself remain subjects of ongoing scientific inquiry and exploration.
- Different fields of knowledge require different approaches to scientific investigation.
- While the experimental method is valuable in some disciplines, its applicability is limited in social science due to the difficulty of controlling complex social situations.
The Experimental Method and its Limitations
- The experimental method is used to test causal relationships by introducing variations and observing changes in outcomes.
- In fields like chemistry, physics, and biology, controlled experiments allow for the manipulation of variables and isolation of causal factors.
- Social science research often faces challenges in applying the experimental method due to the complex nature of social interactions and the difficulty of controlling for all relevant variables.
- Natural experiments offer a more practical alternative in social science, where researchers observe and analyze naturally occurring phenomena.
- Computer simulations and virtual social systems provide opportunities for controlled social experiments, but they still have limitations in their ability to perfectly replicate real-world conditions.
- While social experiments are useful for studying social change, their limitations in control and replicability mean that results should be interpreted carefully.
Economics as a Social Science
- Economics delves into how individuals and societies make a living and satisfy their needs and wants.
- It explores the social organization of production, distribution, and consumption of scarce goods and services.
- Key topics in economics include supply and demand, monetary and fiscal policy, and unemployment.
- The field of economics aims to explain, guide, and predict the social systems used to address economic needs.
Political Science as a Social Science
- Political science focuses on the systems and processes used to maintain peace and order within a society.
- It investigates governments and their areas of interest, such as:
- Laws
- Administration
- The theory and functions of the state
- International relations
- Political science combines philosophical and practical perspectives, examining both theories of government and the actual practices of governance.
- It analyzes how governments tax, regulate, protect, and provide services to their citizens.
Paradigm Shifts in Social Science
- In social science, the acceptance and development of new theories can be likened to a paradigm shift, where a prevailing theory is challenged and ultimately replaced by a new, more encompassing explanation.
- The process of paradigm shift can be gradual, similar to a growing water drop on a faucet, until the accumulated evidence for the new theory leads to a sudden shift in scientific thinking.
- Thomas Kuhn proposed the concept of paradigm shifts in the sciences.
- While the applicability of Kuhn's paradigm shift theory to social science has been debated, it provides a valuable lens for understanding competing theories.
- Imre Lakatos extended Kuhn's arguments, suggesting that multiple competing research programs exist in social science.
- For example, in psychology, behaviorism and Freudian psychoanalysis offer alternative perspectives on behavior and cognition.
- Different theoretical paradigms attract researchers, and the paradigm that garners the most support and influence is more likely to grow and evolve.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts and importance of social science in understanding human behavior and societal structures. This quiz delves into various disciplines within social science and their impact on our comprehension of the world. Gain insights into how social science can improve our understanding of cultural dynamics and social change.
