Chapter 1: Applied Social Science

Applied Social Science is defined as....

 The study that uses the knowledge-based theories, principles, and methods of interdisciplinary
disciplines of basic social science to understand the society and to help address or solve a social problem
or practical problem in society.
 An integrated science cutting across and transcending various social science disciplines in addressing a
wide range of issues in a contemporary, innovative, and dynamic way.
 A broad field that draws on different social theories and perspectives and combines theories and practice
drawn from different social disciplines that highlight the complexity of social issues.
 Presenting a well-developed understanding of social systems, social theory, and social policy.

Relationship of Social Science and Applied Social Science

Social Sciences are more specific and focused on a distinct facet of a social phenomenon while applied science
attempts to focus on a distinct issue but use insights arising from various social science disciplines.

Social Science is the entire area of scientific endeavor related to discovering facts (i.e. theories) about humans.
As you can see, it is a very broad field that includes ethology, anthropology, sociology, economics, psychology,
linguistics, and several other more specialized fields. Any “applied science” researches how the particular
science can be used in the real world for beneficial results. Thus, “applied social science” explores how the
notions of theorists and the findings of experimentalists in any of the social science fields can be used in the
day-to-day world. This is the realm of ethics and the sweet/scary potential of such knowledge.

The Distinction between Social Science and Applied Social Science

Social science is a study of human behavior, relationship with other human in terms of emotions,
psychologic, the impact of belief to environment based on scientific research. Social science usually uses
many tools to get information, to measure, to evaluate, even to control human behavior. Social science
research is triggered by curiosity about the current event of social life. It may be not something wrong or a
problem. But it may help us to understand about human behavior, how to treat people, how to live socially
healthy.

Applied science is a discipline that used to apply existing scientific knowledge based on scientific researches
and also to developing a practical application of science - such as technology, methodology, inventions. So
basically, the main concern of applied science is about scientific knowledge and how to practice it into the real
world. This can be a scientific and practical contribution to people. Applied science's necessity is triggered
by research question which become the problem to be solved. It usually produces practical steps, practical
decisions, as tools to answer the existing problem. A common question in applied science is what's the short-
term and long-tern impact if the existing problem is not be solved? What are the practical solutions for the
problem so the negative impacts won't be happened in future? The question like these would be answered in
applied science.

The differences between Applied Science and Social Science:

 1. Purpose
1. Applied science: solving problem
2. Social science: theory proven
2. Trigger
1. Applied science: problem to be solved or needs to be developed
2. Social science: curiosity
3. Object
1. Applied science: system
2. Social science: people
4. Methodology
1. Applied science: both quantitative and qualitative
2. Social science: qualitative
5. Output
1. Applied science: technology, invention
2. Social science: qualified hypothesis or behavioral theory

Different disciplines in Applied Social Science

 Social Work may be defined as the applied science of helping people achieve an effective level of
psychosocial functioning. The professional activity of helping individual, groups, or communities to
enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning and to create societal conditions favorable to this
goal. Social work practice consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and
techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services; providing
counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; helping communities or groups
provide or improve social and health services; and participating in relevant legislative processes. The
practice of social work requires knowledge of human development and behavior; of social, economic,
and cultural institutions; and of the interaction of these factors.

Social Work promotes social change, problem- solving in human relationships, and the empowerment
and liberation of people to enhance their holistic well-being.

 Communication examines communication between people. Human interaction is regarded as the

basis on which interpersonal relationships, groups and teams, organizations, communities and
cultures are constructed. Communication aims at developing knowledge about interactional processes
and communicative behavior. The discipline focuses on contacts and bonds between people, both in
private and public contexts, and both face-to-face and mediated through various communication
technologies.

Communication provides accessibility to information and thereby serves the right of an individual and
the public to be informed and to be heard by their elders and communities.

 Counseling is the process of guiding a person during a stage of life when reassessments or
decisions have to be made about himself or herself and his or her life course. Counseling is not the
same thing as giving advice (making recommendations) Counseling helps clients to make their own
decisions.

Counseling is the process of guiding a person during the stage of life when reassessments or decisions
have to be made about himself or herself and his or her life course.
Goals of Counseling

FIVE MAJOR GOALS OF COUNSELING - George & Cristiani (1986)

1. Facilitating behavior change: Helps the client to live more productive and satisfy his/her own life.
2. Improving the client’s ability to establish and maintain a relationship: Helps client to confidently
deal with other people.
3. Enhancing the client’s effectiveness and ability to cope: Helps the client to cope and adapt to change.
4. Promoting the decision-making process: Helps client to be guided in identifying options and their
respective consequences.
5. Facilitating client potential and development: Helps the client to maximize their potentials and ensure
growth.

SPECIFIC GOALS OF COUNSELING - McLeod (2003)

 Insight: Clients gain knowledge about people, processes, and events, which can further heighten their
understanding of themselves and their world.
 Relating with others: Clients learn how to “establish a meaningful and satisfying relationship” with the
people around them
 Self-awareness: Clients become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and actions.
 Self-acceptance: Clients gain a positive view of themselves.
 Self-actualization or individualization: Clients maximize their full potential and develop themselves
as individuals rather than just part of a group.
 Enlightenment: Clients reach a higher state of spirituality.
 Problem-solving: Clients develop problem-solving skills.
 Psychological Education: Clients attain an understanding of people’s behaviors.
 Acquisition of social skills: Clients develop and enhance social and interpersonal skills.
 Cognitive change: Clients modify irrational beliefs or self-defeating thoughts that hinder their
development.
 Behavior Change: Clients replace maladaptive behaviors that impede them from maximizing their
potentials and hinder them from building and maintaining interpersonal relationships.
 Systematic Change: Clients realize that problems are also rooted in social institutions and processes;
thus, initiating changes in these areas is also important
 Empowerment: Clients develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes, that can help them take better control
of their lives.
 Restitution: Clients make peace with themselves for their past mistakes.
 Generativity and social action: Clients are to think and do something for others.