Social Science: Vocab, Methods, Ethics

• The document contains vocabulary, types of questioning, research ethics, research methods, and questions related to social science disciplines, the Bystander Effect, and the field of psychology.

Vocabulary

• Social Science is the study of human behavior.
• Anthropology is the scientific study of humans including their origins, behavior, and physical, social, and cultural development.
• Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior including individuals, groups, and societies.
• Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind, mental states, and human behavior.
• Social Science Inquiry Model is a process used to investigate events, developments, and issues.
• Quantitative research involves studying a particular group of people, known as a sample population.
• Qualitative research gathers participants’ experiences, perceptions, and behavior.

Types of Questioning

• Factual questions seek specific, concrete information; for example, asking who someone is.
• Predictive questions forecast future outcomes; for example, asking where someone is going.
• Analytical questions examine cause-and-effect relationships; for example, asking what can be done to help homeless people.
• Application questions use knowledge to solve real-world problems; for example, asking how psychology can improve the workplace.

Research Ethics

• Protection of participants from physical and psychological harm is essential.
• Informed Consent requires participants to be aware of the research's purpose and their right to withdraw at any time.
• Privacy of individuals must be protected.
• Debriefing is necessary if deception is involved; participants must be informed of the true nature of the research immediately after participation.

Zimbardo Prison Case

• The Zimbardo Prison Case violated social science ethics because students at Stanford took their roles too seriously causing them to inflict major violence on other students portraying the role of inmates

Research Methods

• Case Studies involve in-depth analysis of a single subject or group.
• Observation involves watching behavior in natural settings.
• Experiments use controlled studies to test hypotheses.
• Sample Surveys collect data from a representative group.
• Participant Observation involves a researcher immersing themselves in a group’s environment.
• Primary Sources provide firsthand evidence, while Secondary Sources present information gathered from other sources.

Social Science Disciplines

• Scenarios, topics, and studies can be matched to the three social science disciplines.
• Connections can be identified between research, inquiry questions, and research methods.

Importance of Ethics

• Ethics in social science research ensures that all guidelines are followed, including protection, consent, privacy, and debriefing.

MBTI

• ISTJ means Introverted, uses senses a lot, a thinker, and a judger.

Careers

• Anthropology related careers include archaeologists, museum workers, curators, and forensic anthropologists.
• Psychology related careers include therapists, human rights workers, teachers, social workers, and marketing specialists.
• Sociology related careers include urban planners, human rights workers, social workers, and child care workers.

Bystander Effect

• The Bystander Effect describes how people are less likely to help in a crisis when others are present.
• Social scientists explain the Bystander Effect through diffusion of responsibility where people think someone else will act.

Early Questions of Psychologists

• The five earliest questions asked by psychologists helped to form the discipline: What is the mind? How does the mind relate to the body? How do we gain knowledge? What role does experience play in shaping behavior? What is consciousness?

Explore social science disciplines, research methods (quantitative, qualitative), and ethics. Understand key concepts like the Bystander Effect and the Social Science Inquiry Model. Review types of questions, including factual and perceptual questions.