CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
TO
SOCIAL SCIENCE
 DEFINITION

Social Science is the study of human relations. Social Science is

the study of the activities of social and physical environment.
A social science is any branch of academic study or science that
deals with human behaviour in its social and cultural aspects.
Usually included within the social sciences are cultural (or social)
anthropology, sociology, psychology, political science, and
economics.
Social science tells us about the world beyond our immediate
experience, and can help explain how our own society works –
from the causes of unemployment or what helps economic
growth, to how and why people vote, or what makes people
happy. Social science is the branch of science devoted to the
study of societies and the relationships among individuals within
those societies. The term was formerly used to refer to the field
of sociology, the original “science of society”, established in the
19th century.
❖ Social -relating to human society and how it is organized.
❖ Science- the study of the physical and natural world and
phenomena, especially by using systematic observation
and experiment.

➢ The scientific study of organized human groups is a

relatively recent development, but a vast amount of
information has been accumulated concerning the social
life of human beings.
➢ This information has been used in building a system of
knowledge (called social sciences) about the nature,
growth and functioning of human societies.
➢ Scientific knowledge is a knowledge that has been
systematically gathered, classified, related and
interpreted.The study of humankind in all is aspects:
culture and development.
➢ The study of the origin, development, and structure of
human societies and the behavior of individual people and
groups in society
➢ The study of political organizations and institutions,
especially governments.
➢ The branch of knowledge dealing with past events
➢ The scientific study of the human mind and mental states,
and of human and animal behaviour.
Social science is the study of people:
• as individuals, communities and societies; their behavior’s
and interactions with each other and with their built,
technological and natural environments.
• Social science seeks to understand the evolving human
systems across our increasingly complex world and how
our planet can be more sustainably managed. It’s vital to
our shared future.
Some Views about Social Sciences
• Studying the social sciences can provide us with so many
important answers and observations that may help
improve the understanding of our lives, and thus help us
to improve our interactions with each other.
• The social sciences can provide insight into all types of
social situations such as raising children, family
relationships, friendships, work place relationships,
interactions with strangers, cultural differences, and so on.
• Studying these situations and complex scenarios that arise
in each situation really aids those in various professions
that dedicate their lives to helping people improve and
understand their behaviour or psychological processes.

Why the social science is important?

• The Importance of the Social Sciences. In general, social
sciences focus on the study of society and the relationship
among individuals within society. Social science covers a
wide spectrum of subjects, including economics, political
science, sociology, history, archaeology, anthropology,
and law.
What is the purpose of social science?
• Communication studies integrates aspects of both social
sciences and the humanities. As a social science, the
discipline often overlaps with sociology, psychology,
anthropology, biology, political science, economics, and
public policy, among others.
Overall, then, it is important to study social sciences so that we
can get the sorts of information that can help us create better
societies.
 ❖ Social science – is taught in
diverse ways.

Social Science can be define into:

✓ Some courses take a global

perspective
✓ Some an anthropological
perspective
✓ Some a psychological perspective
✓ Some a sociological perspective,
and
✓ Some a historical perspective
According to Seligman, social sciences are those
mental or cultural sciences which deal with the
activities of the individual as a member of the
group. The term social sciences thus embrace all
those subjects which deal with the relationship of
man to society.

On the other hand, describes social science is

loosely applied to any kind of study concerning man
and society. In the strict sense it should refer to the
application of scientific method to the study of the
intricate and complex network of human
relationships and the form of organization designed
to enable people to live together in societies
1.__________ the fields of human knowledge that
deal with all aspects of the group life of human
beings.
2-5.
Social Science are closely related to humanities
deals with 4 elements. What are they?
6-10
Social science is taught in diverse ways.
Social Science can be define into:
Answer Key:

1. Social Science
2. Literature
3. Music
4. Art
5. Philosophy
6. Some courses take a global perspective
7. Some an anthropological perspective
8. Some a psychological perspective
9. Some a sociological perspective
10. Some a historical perspective