Verified Document

Social Sciences Background- For Centuries, Research Paper

It was originally established in the early 19th century by Auguste Comte who tried to unify history, psychology and economics through an understanding of society as a broad paradigm. Emile Durkheim took this a bit further and focused on the way societies could maintain a sort of integrity within the modern work where past cultural trends (religion, ethnicity, etc.) were no longer the singular part of society. His view, which has become the modern view of sociology, surrounded questions of what binds individuals together as a formal group (society) and what happens to this group both collectively and for the individual. This is a broad discipline as well, and clearly an academic response to the modern age (industrialization, urbanization, secularization, etc.). The field looks at social rules, the way those rules were formed, and the way that individuals coalesce into groups, communities, institutions, and even powerful social organizations that transcend political unity. Sociologists are diverse in their methodology, some prefer quantitative studies and critical theory, others qualitative approaches using case studies, observation and individual interviews. All, though, are designed to form a picture of society -- a clustering of sub-disciplines that examine differing dimensions of society, and then come together as a whole to also paint a more holistic version of human interaction and the institutions that engender that interaction. In the 21st century, sociology tends to overlap other social sciences even more as it seeks to understand systems and their overlapping interactions (Backhouse & Fontaine, 2010) Interrelationships- One way to see the interrelationships between anthropology, psychology and sociology is to see each discipline as having fundamentally the same questions about humans, but a different approach and focus. There are, of course, fundamental questions -- where does knowledge come from, how do we know what we know, and how then is that translated into human behavior, human institutions, and individual actions? (Fischer & Barnes, 2002). All the social sciences wish to uncover more information about humanity, and utilize a critical thinking model to do so. Critical thinking is the manner in which we look at information, then process that information, and bring outside knowledge together to interpret that...

It is a process within the social sciences that typically involves the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative attempts to understand social issues through direct observation, communication with individuals, analysis of tests, or looking at primary documents within society (books, films, etc.). The quantitative approach tends towards explaining social phenomenon through direct, empirical evidence; statistical data, experiments, measuring, quantifying behaviors (Bernard, 2011). Regardless of the discipline, the umbrella of social science helps us understand that each category of study offers a bit more insight into humanity.
Cultural Diversity- Humans often use the social sciences to help explain culture, wisdom, and the manner in which technology impact society. As humans become more technologically competent, ethical, philosophical, moral, and even structural questions abound. Through a measured and evolving approach, the social sciences can help us make sense of the direction of human evolution -- both in knowledge and behavior. Globalization has clearly changed the way humans interact. As economic boundaries shift, it is important to combine social science with a broader approach to management and business theory; using sociology, anthropology, history, leadership studies in psychology, etc. In order to develop a robust model that tends to be mutli-cultural in approach (Mahajan, 2006).

Works Cited

American Anthropological Association. (2012, January). What is Anthropology. Retrieved from aaanet.org: http://www.aaanet.org/about/WhatisAnthropology.cfm

Backhouse, R., & Fontaine, P. (Eds.). (2010). The History of the Social Sciences Since 1945. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Bernard, H. (2011). Research Methods in Anthropology. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.

Fernald, L. (2008). Psychology: Six Perspectives. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Fischer, W., & Barnes, D. (2002). Critical Thinking About Social Issues. Portland, ME: Walch Books.

Mahajan, S. (2006). Globalization and Social Change. New York and New Delhi: Lotus Press via Google.

Vessuri, H. (2000). Ethical Challenges for the Social Sciences on the Threshold of the 21st Century. Currnet Sociology,…

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

American Anthropological Association. (2012, January). What is Anthropology. Retrieved from aaanet.org: http://www.aaanet.org/about/WhatisAnthropology.cfm

Backhouse, R., & Fontaine, P. (Eds.). (2010). The History of the Social Sciences Since 1945. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Bernard, H. (2011). Research Methods in Anthropology. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.

Fernald, L. (2008). Psychology: Six Perspectives. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Social Commerce in Saudi Arabia
Words: 4858 Length: 14 Document Type: Research Proposal

Social Commerce in Saudi Arabia: How the Social Media Affect the E-Commerce in Saudi Arabia SOCIAL COMMERCE IN SAUDI ARABIA Conceptual Framework Model Social Media Psychological Aspect and Theories Administration Digital Divide in Saudi Arabia Ethos, Religious conviction, and Government in E-commerce Adoption The Rise of the PR Industry in Saudi Arabia Conceptual Model and Research Hypothesis (Drawing) Research Contribution Social Commerce in Saudi Arabia Modern Saudi Arabia today actually represents an exceptional and convergent mixture of social conservatism and technological ability,

Social Media the Exponential Growth
Words: 6953 Length: 20 Document Type: Thesis

Another common assumption is that the development of virtual social interactions based on the ideal self, is not reflective of how real people will interact with you in the real world and therefore could potentially give the individual a false sense of confidence, regarding their ability to appropriately interact in the real world. Yet, many would also argue that confidence is the most attractive social attribute, almost regardless of

Social Constructionism and Its Application to the Historiography...
Words: 4748 Length: 13 Document Type: Research Paper

Social Constructionism and Historiography of Science In the historiography of science, the debate between intenalists and externalists has been one of the major fault lines over the past century. While many historians are not specialists in physics, chemistry and biology, by training and experience they also consider the political, economic and cultural influences on any institution and organization in a given period, and science his not been exempt from historicism. Internlaists

Social Sustainability Through Nuclear Energy and Waste Disposal
Words: 38353 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Meta-Analysis Technique for Nuclear Energy and Waste Disposal and Create Social Sustainability A Dissertation Presented using the Meta-Analysis Technique Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan Christina AnastasiaPH-D, Chair [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member Date Approved Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan, 2016 This research proposal explores the link between public perceptions of nuclear power, how those perceptions are formed, and what influence those opinions have on energy policy. These issues are important in light of two realities.

Social Sustainability Through Nuclear Energy and Waste Disposal
Words: 36584 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

moriks58: Please Work on Chapter 1 and chapter 2 only "Management Strategy to utilize Meta-Analysis Technique for Nuclear Energy and Waste Disposal and create Social Sustainability A Dissertation Presented using the Meta-Analysis Technique Komi E Fiagbe Christina Anastasia PH-D Chair [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member This research proposal explores the link between public perceptions of nuclear power, how those perceptions are formed, and what influence those opinions have on energy policy.

Science of Emotional Intelligence and Cultural Evolution
Words: 1611 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

Attribution Theory and Emotional Intelligence Attribution theory Attribution theory is a theory that focuses on creating an understanding of the ways in which people interpret events and the relationship of the events to their thinking and behaviors. The theory was proposed by Heider (1958), Weiner (1972 and 1986), and Weiner (1074). Attribution theory takes into assuption that individuals try to understand why people behave the way they do (attribute causes of events

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now