Social Sciences: The Study of Society- DISS REVIEWER PDF

DISS REVIEWER SOCIAL SCIENCES: THE STUDY OF SOCIETY Social Sciences is defined as the body of knowledge that deals with the various aspects of the society, social phenomena, and the impact. of these occurrences on human lives Society (Social): Situates the diciplines in people and their social con...

DISS REVIEWER SOCIAL SCIENCES: THE STUDY OF SOCIETY Social Sciences is defined as the body of knowledge that deals with the various aspects of the society, social phenomena, and the impact. of these occurrences on human lives Society (Social): Situates the diciplines in people and their social context Empirical analysis (Science): To understand the problems and complexities in sodal sciences. Its methodical manner which relies on real-world data, such as leeen observation, critical analysis, and interpretation of social facts. NATURAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Society is often defined as an organized group of individuals having shared territory, interest, values, and beliefs, in which the people who constitute it are bound by the rules people made themselves. Social Sciences and Natural Sciences are both influenced by the phibsophy of "Positivism" when it comes to how their respective concerns should studied Humanities: Explore the human culture and expression Social Science: Focus on human behavior and society Natural: Study the natural world DISCIPLINES OF SOCIAL SCIENCE 1. Anthropology : It is the study of humanity, particularly of human behavior, human biology, cultures, and societies, as well as past human species Etymology: study of homan 2. Sociology: It is the study that deals with the systematic study of society, pattern of human interaction, human social behavior, and the processes that preserve and change humans. Etymology: study of people together 3. Demography: It is a systematic and statistical study of human populations. Etymology: people description 4. Economics: It studies how individuals, businesses, governments, and national make choices when it comes to allocation of limited resources. Etymology: oiko (house); (nomos) rule 5. Geography: It is study of the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of the Earth as well as its human and natural complexities Etymology: Earth description 6. Psychology:It deals with the nature of human behaviors  Etymology: study of mind 7. Political Science: It is the study of plitics. Etymology: affairs of the cities ETHNOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES Participant Observation: Actual and physical participation of the researcher in group activities. In-depth interviews: Formal and detailed interview of Key Information Focus-group discussion: Facilitating a discussion with Rey Informatits guided by the researcher's agenda. Life history method: In-depth examination of the social phenomenon through personal life story of the key Informant. Ocular inspection: Familiarization with the location and physical context of the subject area. Ethnography is related to inductive reasoning, which is a reasoning that uses and examines "specifics" to understand the "general" MAJOR SOCIAL SCIENCE THEORIES Structure Functionalism: This theory focuses on the roles people perform and the idea that behaviour follows established norms, which helps to maintain social order. Key Consept and Principles – Social Structure: it refers to the pattern of belief and behavior – Social Functions: observed consequences of a social process – Manifest Function: something that a social group or institution does that is intentional and beneficial to society. – Latent Function: an unintended consequence or outcome of an activity or social system. – Dysfunction: Fails to fulfill its intended function Marxism: A social, economic and political philosophy that analyses the impact of the ruling class on the laborers, leading to uneven distribution of wealth and privileges in the society. Key Concept and Principles – Historical Materialism: posits that all things develop through material contradictions. – Alienation: The individual is isolated and divorced from his/her society – Surplus Valve: Capilatists pay workers less than the value of their labor – Class Struggle and conflict Cycle: History consists of different periods in which one class rules over other classes. – False Consciousness: The idea that people in a capitalist society unknowingly participate in a system that promotes inequality. Symbolic Interactionism: Society is shaped through social interaction where individuals create shared meanings Key Concepts and Principles – Meaning: Human form attitudes based on the meanings derived from interactions  – Language: Meaning communicated through language and symbols – Thinking: Meaning are not fixed, they can change over time through interpretation PSYCHOANALYSIS It emphasizes the unconscious mins, which contains repressed childhood memories, hidden drives, and desired that influence thoughts and behavior, despite being outside awareness. Key Concept and Principles – id: The unconscious and primal urges present from birth, operating on instinct and pleasure – Ego: Manage reality, balancing the id’s demands with acceptance and realistic behavior – Superego: Learned from parents and society, serving as a guiding force in moral decision making DEFENSE MEHCANISM To protect itself from anxiety and reduce distress when faced with overwhelming information Matured Defense Mechanisms – Suppression: Consciously forgetting problems – Sublimation: Rediracting unecceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities – Using Humor: Focusing on humorous aspects of painful situations Immature Defense Mechanisms – Acting out: Extreme behaviors in response to stress – Regression: Reverting to earlier development stages for comfort Neurotic Defense Mechanism – Strategies employed ego that can harm mental health by avoiding anxiety and guilt linked to sexual desires and aggressive impluses Narcissistic Defense Mechanism – Splitting: A person sees everything as bad with nothing in between RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY Key Concept and Principles – However, it faces criticism for oversimplifying human behavior, ignoring the impact of social norms, institutions, and moral considerations, and overlooking how culture and socialization shape individual choices and actions.