Introduction to Social Sciences

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of Social Sciences?

Analyzing and explaining various aspects of social life and behavior (correct)

Exploring the geological features of the Earth

Studying the physical laws and phenomena of nature

Understanding human cultural expressions through humanities

Which branch of Social Sciences would primarily study human evolution?

Political Science

Cultural Anthropology

Physical Anthropology (correct)

Psychology

Which of the following disciplines is NOT typically categorized under Social Sciences?

Earth Sciences (correct)

Sociology

Psychology

Cultural Anthropology

What common approach do Social Sciences and Natural Sciences share?

Use of the scientific method for producing knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does Humanities primarily deal with?

Human experiences and creative expressions Signup and view all the answers

What did Auguste Comte believe about the relationship between society and science?

Scientific methods can improve the understanding of society. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key objective of the disciplines within Social Sciences?

To define the essence of being a human Signup and view all the answers

Which sociologist is known for their study on suicide and the division of labor in society?

Emile Durkheim Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Cultural Anthropology from Physical Anthropology?

Cultural Anthropology investigates cultural practices and societal development. Signup and view all the answers

What do social phenomena refer to in the context of Social Sciences?

Behavioral patterns and societal interactions among individuals Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Franz Boas introduce that views all cultures as equal?

Cultural relativism Signup and view all the answers

What was Karl Marx's view on capitalism?

It is based on the exploitation of workers. Signup and view all the answers

Which social philosopher described modern society as an 'iron cage'?

Max Weber Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of society did George Herbert Mead emphasize in his theories?

The influence of social experiences on self-conception. Signup and view all the answers

What significant contribution did Thomas Robert Malthus make to the field of demography?

He discussed the principle of population growth. Signup and view all the answers

Which scholar is credited with being the first to use the term 'Sociology'?

Auguste Comte Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of educational psychology?

Analyzing cognitive development and learning methods in children Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes developmental psychology?

It studies the growth and consistency of individuals throughout their life span. Signup and view all the answers

What does demography primarily study?

Population size, composition, and dynamics Signup and view all the answers

Sociology is best defined as the study of what?

The various developments and structures of human society Signup and view all the answers

During the Enlightenment period, what significant change occurred regarding the interpretation of human nature?

The perspective shifted to view humans as corrupted by nature. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does behavioral psychology primarily focus on?

Understanding motivation and behavior change Signup and view all the answers

What is a key premise supported by Enlightenment philosophers regarding social sciences?

Societal behavior can be governed by observable laws. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of behavioral modification is emphasized in behavioral psychology?

Altering undesirable behaviors through reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the founder of demography?

John Graunt Signup and view all the answers

What economic doctrine did Adam Smith advocate?

Laissez faire Signup and view all the answers

Which ancient scholar first calculated the circumference of the Earth?

Eratosthenes Signup and view all the answers

Who is recognized as the 'Father of History'?

Herodotus Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of Adam Smith's foundational book?

The Wealth of Nations Signup and view all the answers

Eratosthenes is best known for which of the following contributions?

Global projection using parallels and meridians Signup and view all the answers

Which historical figure set a new standard for historical reporting with his accounts of the Greek-Persian Wars?

Herodotus Signup and view all the answers

Noam Chomsky is best known for his contributions in which field?

Linguistics Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the basic premises of Symbolic Interactionism according to Herbert Blumer?

Human beings communicate based on the meanings they attributed to things. Signup and view all the answers

In the socio-cultural aspect of Symbolic Interactionism, how do some Filipinos express their support for front-liners during the pandemic?

Using social media applications like TikTok to demonstrate gestures and symbols. Signup and view all the answers

How does the economic aspect of Symbolic Interactionism influence children of business owners?

Children are likely to see business as an opportunity and model their future based on parental success. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Seal of the Philippine President symbolize in the political aspect of Symbolic Interactionism?

The history and dignity associated with the president. Signup and view all the answers

What role do personal experiences play in the process of interpreting meanings according to the premises of Symbolic Interactionism?

They shape how a person interprets meanings based on their interactions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Areas of Study

Natural Sciences include Physical, Biological, and Earth Sciences, focusing on objective, empirical methods to explore laws governing the universe.
Humanities study human conditions and experiences, offering insights into social existence and cultural history.
Social Sciences analyze individual and societal behaviors, employing scientific methods to interpret social phenomena, often more systematically than Humanities.

Anthropology: Study of humans and societies across time, divided into:
- Physical Anthropology: Examines human evolution and diversity.
- Cultural Anthropology: Focuses on human cultures and their development.
Psychology: Explores cognitive and behavioral aspects of individuals in various contexts, with branches like:
- Educational Psychology: Studies learning methods and cognitive development in educational settings.
- Behavioral Psychology: Investigates motivation and behavior modification.
- Developmental Psychology: Examines growth and changes throughout the human lifespan.
Demography: Analyzes human population dynamics, including size, composition, growth, and distribution.
Sociology: Systematically studies society, focusing on individual interactions, cultural groups, and societal systems.

The Enlightenment combined reason and observation, advocating for theories derived from empirical investigations.
Philosophers debated human nature and societal progress, questioning traditional views, stimulating scientific methods for societal improvements.

Key Figures in Sociology

Auguste Comte: Coined "sociology"; proposed applying natural science methods to social study.
Émile Durkheim: Pioneered empirical studies in sociology, especially on social cohesion and suicide.
Karl Marx: Analyzed class conflicts as engines of societal change, emphasizing exploitation in capitalism.
Max Weber: Explored rationalization's impact on society, stressing the role of ideas in social change.

Key Figures in Anthropology

Franz Boas: Advocate for cultural relativism; championed understanding cultures without superiority biases.

Key Figures in Demography

Thomas Robert Malthus: Warned about population growth exceeding food supply, risking famine.
John Graunt: Founder of demography; laid groundwork for modern statistical methods.

Key Figures in Economics

Adam Smith: Established economics as a field; introduced laissez-faire doctrine in "The Wealth of Nations."

Key Figures in Geography

Eratosthenes: First to use "geography," calculated Earth's circumference, and created the first world map.

Key Figures in History

Herodotus: The first historian to use meticulous reporting methods; often referred to as the “Father of History.”
Thucydides: Advanced historical accuracy and narrative scope in documenting the Peloponnesian War.

Key Figures in Linguistics

Noam Chomsky: Regarded as the "Father of Linguistics"; developed influential theories on language structure.

Symbolic Interactionism Examples

Socio-Cultural: Filipinos use social media during the pandemic to convey support, exemplified through expressive challenges like the Front-liners Dance Challenge.
Economic: A child of business parents may adopt business values, seeing entrepreneurship as an opportunity due to parental influence.
Political: The Philippine Presidential Seal symbolizes historical and dignified aspects of leadership, incorporating national symbols like the coat of arms and sea lion.

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Description

This quiz covers the foundational aspects of Natural Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences. It delves into specific disciplines such as Anthropology and Psychology, exploring their methodologies and areas of study. Test your understanding of how these fields analyze human behavior, culture, and society.