GRADE: HUMSS – 12

SUBJECT TITLE: Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences

SEMESTER: First Semester, S.Y. 2020- 2021

__________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE DISCIPLINES OF APPLIED

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Applied social science is the application of social science theories, concepts,

methods, and findings to problems identified in the wider society (D. Jary & J. Jary
2000). Using this understanding in the segmentation of social science into distinct
disciplines gives rise to the concepts of applied social sciences that include
counseling, social work, and communication.
In this typology, theories, concepts, methods, and findings of counseling define
the counseling practice. The same is true for social work and communication
disciplines. However, this description of applied social science minimizes or even omits
the interdisciplinary aspect that is implicit to social science when it is applied. There
can be no social issue that is purely one-dimensional. Different disciplines within the
field of social science bring some unique dimensions to a better understanding of
social phenomena. This means that applied social sciences cannot afford to be
fragmented. Essentially, it has to unify and cut across.

CONTENT PERFORMANCE LEARNING CG Code

STANDARD STANDARD COMPETENCY
The learners The learners The learners ...
demonstrate an should be able to…
understanding clarify the HUMSS_DIASS
of… explain clearly relationships and 12-Ia-1
public perceptions differences
social sciences about the work of between social
and applied social social sciences and sciences and
sciences applied social applied social
science sciences
practitioners

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

 Clarify the relationships between social sciences and applied social

sciences.
 Distinguish between social sciences and applied social sciences.
 Compare and contrast the different applied social sciences.
  Explain the functions and effects of applied social sciences.

1.1. Definition of Social Sciences

Social sciences are disciplines concerned with the systematic study of social
phenomena. Basically, the term ‘social sciences’ is defined as the study of human
society; that particular area of study that relates to human behavior and society. In a
broader sense, it is a branch of science that deals with the institutions, the functioning
of human society, and with the interpersonal relationships of individuals as a member
of society. There are distinct disciplines or branches dealing with a particular phase or
aspect of human society such as socio-cultural aspects of human behavior.

1.2. An Overview: Disciplines of Social Sciences

The disciplines of social sciences generally include: anthropology, economics,

sociology, political science, history, criminology, psychology, geography, and
communication studies. The goal of these disciplines is to explain human behavior in
its many cultural forms including the past and the present, individually or in groups,
national and international geopolitical contexts, and to empower them as democratic
participants in a rapidly changing world.
The disciplines of social science taken together provide a substantive insight to
the understanding of society and of the relationships of individual members and groups
within the society. The discipline also study all areas related to human behavior and
society, the institutions and functioning of human society, and the interpersonal
relationships of individuals as members of society as well as dealing with a particular
phase or aspect of human society. To put this in context, the enumerated disciplines
above give the sense of complexity and specificity to the discipline involved.

1.3. Definition of Applied Social Science

Applied social science is 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. It aims at presenting a well-developed
understanding of social systems, social theory, and social policy. It integrates theory,
social research, skills and professional experience, and critical thinking skills
necessary to fully address social phenomena. Applied social science, therefore, is a
broad field that draws on different social disciplines that highlight the complexity of
social issues.
 Historically, social science knowledge has been compartmentalized into different
disciplines, which until the 1990s and 2000s became apparent to many social critics as
fragmenting rather than promoting the holistic view and complexity of social reality.
This view has advanced the position that it is best that these different social science
disciplines work together to produce a more effective and coherent insights on social
issues under one umbrella of applied science. In this sense, applied social science
essentially reflects an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary view and approach to
social issues, policy, and response.
The focus of applied social science is less fixed and allows for specialisms in
other areas to provide perspectives. It is very important to understand that applied
social science is not an aggregation of various specialized social science disciplines. It
transcends individual specialized social science and finds its true essence through
active engagement with the larger society in action. It is praxis.

1.4. Relationship between Social and Applied Social Sciences

Social sciences are more specific and focused on a distinct facet of a social
phenomenon while applied social science attempts to focus on a distinct issue but use
insights arising from various social science disciplines. While social science may
explore broadly their distinct disciplines, some of their input may easily become applied
while others may remain theoretical. When social science theories, concepts, methods,
and findings gain application to problems identified in the wider society, then applied
social science is achieved.

1.5. Functions and Effects of Applied Social Sciences

The following may be considered functions and effects of applied social science.
They generate knowledge in an organic way for evidence-based actions and
solutions to social problems and issues. They provide learning feedback by
simultaneously engaging the experts and the stakeholders that form a social
world.
They cause social sciences to do things rather than just remain a source of
factual knowledge with little or no utility at all.
The provision of knowledge by social science becomes the moral basis for
applied science to address the issues or problems of society.
Communication provides accessibility to information and thereby serves the
rights of an individual and the public to be informed and to be heard by their
elders and communities.
Counseling provides healing, courage, and strength for an individual to face
his/her issues and take up the best possible option in moments of life crises.
The social work promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships,
and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance their holistic well-
being.
1.6. Public Perception of Social Sciences and Applied Social Science
Practitioners

In the post-democratic era, social sciences are the myths of our time and
applied science practitioners have become the mythmakers. In general, the social
sciences have played a key role in the creation of opinionated persons and an
opinionated society on almost all issues of public interest. For example, thru
media communication and research, social sciences create phenomena that
result to an emergence of the sense of new ways of describing and acting that
have ended up producing all sorts of effects including such political renewals as
Arab spring, EDSA, Green Revolution, and so forth.
In some areas, however, the public has developed a skeptical attitude toward
social sciences and applied social sciences practitioners largely due to their
inability to provide formidable solutions to social problems. Other perceptions
tend to be discipline-specific as how people view counselors, social workers, and
media. In some societies like the Philippines, people rarely present themselves to
a counselor unless they are heavily compelled to do so, while in some countries,
it is very much part of a professional service that people would voluntarily seek
for their own health. Media tend to be perceived as biased and in certain
moments, confusing and therefore unreliable. Social work has been perceived
purely distributors of goods during calamities and social welfare. Rarely do
people perceive social work as:
“The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in
human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance
well-being. Utilizing theories of human behavior and social systems, social work
intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles
of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work. (International
Federation of Social Workers)”

Evaluate:

I. Test Your Knowledge

A. Write the definition of social science and applied social sciences.

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

B. Explain the relationship between the discipline of social sciences and the
discipline of applied social sciences.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

C. Using a T-Chart, make a list of social sciences and another list for applied
social sciences.
 II. Check Your Understanding

A. Describe the profession of the following:

1. Social Worker
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

2. Counselor
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

3. Media Professional (e.g., radio/ news reporter, journalist)

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

B. Using a graphic organizer, write the functions of each of the applied social
sciences you have learned in this lesson and show how they affect
communities.

Additional learning videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cr2bdHhn2k (Disciplines of Social Science)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQGLFHj6ZhM (Disciplines in Applied Social Sciences-
Intro
Reference:
Sampa (2019). DISCIPLINES AND IDEAS IN THE APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES. REX Book
Store