DISCIPLINES and IDEAS in the SOCIAL SCIENCES C.
It is a branch of science concerned with the institutions and functions of
Module 1: Nature and Functions of Social Science Disciplines with the Natural
Sciences
Introduction
Society is the place where social interactions and the human relationship with his/her
environment happens. On the other hand, humans are the prime movers of interactions, and
they cause changes that occur in our society. Because of human eagerness to explain what
is happening in the world, it resulted in the birth of the three major divisions of sciences: the
social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities. These sciences are interrelated with the
common primary goal to explain how man is influenced by society and how society is
shaped by man.
As a Senior High School student, some of your responsibilities are increasing your
knowledge, widening your awareness, and deepening your understanding of our world. As
humans interacting with society, we need to study the sciences and the disciplines that will
significantly help us make sense of the things around us. In this module, you will learn the
nature and functions of Social Science disciplines with the natural sciences.
Objectives
MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY:
Differentiate the nature and functions of Social Science disciplines with
the Natural Sciences and Humanities.
At the end of the module, you should be able to:
1. Discuss the nature and functions of Social Science disciplines with the natural sciences;
2. Identify carefully the importance of nature and functions of Social Science disciplines with
the natural sciences in our real-life situations; and
3. Cite practical real-life situations that can distinguish social sciences to natural sciences
Pre-Test
DIRECTIONS: Choose the best answer to the following questions/statements below.
Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following statements does BEST describe social sciences?
A. It is an academic discipline that deals with the study of human
interaction with different social institutions.
B. It is a body of knowledge that deals with nature.
human society.
D. None of the above.
2. Which of the following statements does BEST describe natural sciences?
A. It is an academic discipline that deals with living and non-living things.
B. It is a body of knowledge concerned with scientific bases.
C. It is a branch of science concerned with humans and nature.
D. All of the above.
3. It refers to the holistic "science of man," a science of the totality of human existence.
A. Anthropology B. Biology C. Chemistry D. Sociology
4. The following are branches of Social Sciences, EXCEPT:
A. Biology B. Anthropology C. Economics D. Sociology
5. The following are branches of Natural Sciences, EXCEPT:
A. Biology B. Chemistry C. Physics D. History
6. It refers to the branch of natural science which deals with the study of living organisms,
including behavior and development.
A. Anthropology B. Genetics C. Biology D. Law
7. Which of the following is/are sub-branch/es of Natural Science?
A. Life Science C. Earth Science
B. Physical Science D. Both A and B.
8. What is the difference between the social sciences and natural sciences?
A. Social Sciences and Natural Sciences both deal with human nature
and social interaction.
B. Social Sciences and Natural Sciences both don’t deal with human
nature and social interaction.
C. Social Sciences focuses on the functions of human society, while
Natural Sciences focuses on nature where humans are affected.
D. Social Sciences deals with human and social interaction. In contrast,
Natural Sciences deals with how humans interact with their nature and
vice-versa.
9. What is the similarity between the social sciences and natural sciences?
A. Social sciences and natural sciences are both sciences concerning
human existence and relationship with the place he/she belongs to.
B. Social sciences and natural sciences are interrelated to each other that seeks to discuss
human and nature’s existence.
C. Both A and B.
D. None of the above.
10. How important is it to know the nature and functions of social sciences and natural
sciences and their relationship with each other?
A. They are different in nature but the same in functions.
B. They are the same in nature but different in functions.
C. They are the same in nature and functions.
D. They are integrated, interrelated, and interdisciplinary in nature and functions.
WEEK 1 LESSON 1 – NATURE AND FUNCTIONS OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AS A
DISCIPLINE
DISTINGUISHING SCIENCES
Science - Is generally understood as an endeavor to understand, explain, and predict the
world we live in using distinctive methods of inquiry in an attempt to construct theories.
A. General Concepts and Historical Background
Social Science is an academic discipline and a branch of science that deals with the
institutions and functioning of human society and with the interpersonal relationships of
individuals as members of society.
It started during the Age of Enlightenment between the 17th to 19th centuries. This period is
also known as the “Age of Reason,” which was an intellectual and philosophical movement
that began in Europe. Social science was merely taught as a natural philosophy, but later
on, when the Age of Revolutions began, specifically the Industrial Revolution and the French
Revolution in Europe, it was conceptualized as moral philosophy and then as science which
was experimental or applied that focused on the systematic knowledge-bases or prescriptive
practices, relating to the social improvement of a group of interacting entities.
There was extensive growth of social science in the 18th century. Pioneers during that time
were Denis Diderot, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Auguste Comte, who emphasized social
science as a distinct conceptual field and reflected in other specialized encyclopedias. Later
on, the discipline was influenced by “positivism,” focusing on knowledge based on actual
positive sense experience and avoiding the negative and metaphysical speculation. It was
Auguste Comte, who used first the term “science sociale” taken from the idea of Charles
Fourier, and he also called it “social physics.”
 qualitative approach because the two were integrated into the study of human action and its
implications and consequences.

In the contemporary period, social science became the source and center for research and
data. There was an emergence of new theories because of different research
methodologies used. Two social scientists were influenced by this, and these were Karl
Popper and Talcott Parson.

Furthermore, during this period, the concept of social sciences became established in the
five (5) paths of development influenced by Comte in other fields. First, the rise of social
research and extensive statistical surveys were undertaken in various parts of Europe and
the United States. Second, a route initiated by Emile Durkheim about “social facts” and
Vilfredo Pareto introduced the metatheoretical ideas and individual theories. Third, the rise
of methodological dichotomy became present, and the social phenomena were identified Generally, the term “social science” may refer to the specific “sciences of society”
and understood because of Max Weber. Fourth, the development of economic knowledge established by scholars such as Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max
and concept was also introduced. Last was that the correlation of knowledge and social Weber. Disciplines outside of “noble science” and “arts” recognized this academic
values prospered, and the theory became description and prescription avoided the discipline and branch of science.
overlapping discussions of a subject.
In the 20th century, the concept of social sciences became interdisciplinary, cross- B. Branches
disciplinary, and quantitative in methodology. Applied mathematics and statistics were used Social Science -is an academic discipline that focuses on the relationships of institutions,
during this time. Later on, social sciences influenced the field of natural sciences and the function of a person in society, and other members of society. Consequently, social
adopted the qualitative method. There was an increase in the quantitative research and sciences have several sub-disciplines or branches that can explain different fields and
disciplines. Here are some of the known branches of social sciences: anthropology,
economics, geography,history, linguistics, political science, psychology, and sociology.
The following are the salient points of the different branches of social sciences:
BRANCHES OF SOCIAL SCIENCES DESCRIPTIONS
Anthropology ✓ It comes from the two Greek
words “anthropos” which
means human and “logos,” which
means the study of.
✓ It is the holistic "science of
man", a science of the
totality of human existence.
✓ The discipline deals with the
integration of different
aspects of the social sciences,
humanities,
and human biology.
✓ The one who studies the human
existence is called an
Anthropologist.
Economics ✓ It comes from the two Greek
words “oikos,” which
means "family, household, estate,"
and “nomos,”
which means "custom, the law,"
and hence, it means
"household management" or
"management of the
state."
✓ It is a social science that seeks
to analyze and
Linguistics
describe the production,
distribution, and consumption
of wealth.
✓ The one who studies household
management is called
an Economist.
Geography ✓ It comes from the two Greek
words “geo,” meaning
earth or land, and “graphein,”
meaning “description”
and “graphia,” meaning “to write
about.”
✓ It is the science that deals with
the description,
distribution, and interaction of the
diverse physical,
biological, and cultural features of
the earth’s surface.
✓ The one who studies the earth's
surface is called a
Geographer
History ✓ It comes from the Greek word
“historia,” which means the study
of the past and significant events.
✓ It is also defined as a
continuous, systematic narrative
and research into past human
events asinterpreted through
historiographical paradigms or
theories.
✓ The one who studies history is
called a historian.
✓ It is the scientific study of
language.
✓ It involves the analysis of
language form, language meaning,
and language in context.
✓ Linguists are the term used to
call people who know and can
speak any language.
 ✓ Linguists study human speech,
including units, nature, structure,
and modification of language.
✓ Linguistics investigates the
cognitive and social aspects of
human language
Political Science ✓ It comes from the two Greek
words “polis,” which
means “cities-state” and “sciere,”
which means “study
of.” Therefore, is the study of state
affairs.
✓ It is an academic and research
discipline that deals
with the theory and practice of
politics and the
description and analysis of political
systems and
political behavior.
✓ Political science also studies
power in international
relations and the theory of great
powers and superpowers.
✓ The one who studies state affairs
is called a Political
Scientist
Psychology ✓ It comes from the Greek word
“psyche,” which means “mind" and
logos, which means "study."
✓ It is an academic and applied
field involving the study of
behavior and mental processes.
✓ Psychology also refers to the
application of such knowledge to
various spheres of human activity,
ncluding problems of individuals'
daily lives and the treatment of
mental illness.
✓ The one who studies human
behavior and mental
processes are called a Psychologist
Sociology ✓ It comes from the Greek word
“soci,” which is from the Latin word
“socius,” which means “companion
or society in general and “logos,”
which means “study.”
✓ Sociology is the systematic study
of society, individuals' relationship
to their societies, the consequences
of difference, and other aspects of
human social action.
✓ The one who studies the society
is called a Sociologist.
LESSON 2 - NATURE AND FUNCTION OF SOCIAL SCIENCES WITH THE NATURAL SCIENCES
A. General Concepts and Historical Background
Since the beginning, humans have always been curious about what is happening in
themselves and their environment. Many theories and laws explain the different phenomena
and changes in our bodies, environment, society, and the world. Early people sought to
explain these phenomena through mythology. The advancement of science and technology
has proven to examine the natural causation of things and thus has debunked numerous
superstitions and mythical beliefs. However, not all people are informed, and some still
believe in the unseen as the clash between scientific, mythological, and religious views are
going on.
 Aristotelian Natural Philosophy (400 ✓ This is the period where Aristotle gave
BCE-1100 CE) much attention to the physical and natural
world. He was a pioneer and became known
as the Father of Biology. Some of his works
were about astronomy, meteorology,
zoology, and physics. ✓ His works were
used as references during the Ancient
Romans, the Byzantine Empire, and Abbasid
Natural Science and Social Science are related and integrated into one another and work Caliphates.
hand in hand in explaining the concurrent and existing theories and changes happening in ✓ His principle served as an inspiration to
humans, the environment, society, and the world as a whole. Because man, environment, Galileo Galilei during Scientific Revolution
humanities, and society cannot be studied using one discipline of science alone, their
collaboration makes the understanding of the man and the world relevant and complete.

To analyze how natural science developed through time, let us take a glance at its historical
background. It is divided into six (6) periods: ancient times, Aristotelian natural philosophy,
medieval natural philosophy, Newton and the scientific revolution, 19th-century
developments, and modern natural science.

The following are brief discussion and salient points on the historical background of natural
science as an academic discipline:
PERIODS
Ancient Times (3500-3000 BCE)
Medieval Natural Philosophy ✓ This is the period where the Catholic
(1100-1600 CE) Church become a dominant monopoly of
knowledge with regards to natural
DESCRIPTIONS
philosophy. Theologians opposed natural
✓ This is the period where the Ancient
Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus, and China
science because they considered it as
believed that happenings in the world and to heresy.
humans are a product of mythological and ✓ During the Middle Ages, those who study
religious revelations. and experiment on natural science were
✓ Scholars trace that this period where considered performers of magic and
understanding the natural world was members of the occult.
necessary for survival. Humans developed
observation and curiosity about the behavior ✓ Later on, theologians like Thomas
of animals and the usefulness of plants as a Aquinas and Albertus Magnus have seen
source of food and medicine. natural philosophy as a theological
perspective that can be used in church
dogma and scriptures.
 Newton and the Scientific Revolution
(1600-1800 CE)
19th-century Developments
(1800-1900 CE)
Modern Natural Science (1900-present)
✓ This is the period where some of the ✓ New branches of natural science were
Aristotelian natural philosophy debunk and created, including mechanics,
the rise of protestant reformation begun to electrodynamics, and thermodynamics.
start conducted a scientific inquiry. ✓ Today, natural sciences are commonly
✓ This was also the birth of scientific divided into life sciences, such as botany
revolution wherein more natural and zoology, and physical sciences, which
philosophers gave different perspectives include physics, chemistry, astronomy, and
and methodologies in terms of natural Earth sciences. ;
science as natural philosophy. B. Branches
✓ There was the rise of the scientific
method as a new way of scientific inquiry
and investigation. Experiment and
hypotheses formulation became essentials
as new scientific-based. Logic and
mathematics became the tools to interpret
and analyze cause and effect.
✓ Sir Isaac Newton, an English
Mathematician, and Physicist became the
most highlighted natural scientist in this
time because of his Law of Gravitational
Force and Laws of Motion.
✓ This is the period where natural
Natural Science is divided into two (2) major branches, which are the Life Sciences
philosophy become officially named as (Biological Sciences) and Physical Sciences.
natural science.
✓ Natural Science institutions emerged, and Life science is a branch of science that deals with the scientific study of life and organisms,
more professionals linked to this new field. such as microorganisms, plants, animals, and human beings. Some of the primary sub-
The term scientist used to identify persons branches of it are anatomy, biology, botany, genetics, and zoology.
studying natural science was invented by
William Whewell in 1834.
✓ The natural science prospers and further
develops in this period. Inventions,
discoveries, and experimentations are used
for the betterment of man, society, and
environment.

On the other hand, Physical science is a branch of natural science that deals with the study
of non-living systems. Some of the primary sub-branches of it are Astronomy, Chemistry,
Earth Science, and Physics.
The following are the salient points of the different branches of natural sciences:
BRANCHES OF LIFE SCIENCE DESCRIPTIONS
Anatomy ✓ It comes from the Greek word
“anatome” means dissection. It’s a
branch of natural science which
deals with the structural
organization of living things such
as plants, animals, humans, and
other organisms.
✓ A person studying anatomy is
called an Anatomist.
Biology ✓ It comes from the two Greek
words “bios,” which means life and
“logos,” which means study.
✓ It is a branch of natural science
which deals with the study of living
organisms, including behavior and
development.
✓ A person studying biology is
called a biologist.
Botany ✓ It comes from the Greek word
“botane,” which means pasture,
grass, or plant.
✓ It is a branch of natural science
which deals with the study of
different species of plants.
✓ Aerson studying plants is called
a Botanist.
Genetics ✓ It is a branch of natural science
which deals with the study
concerning genes, genetic
variation, and hereditary of
organisms.
✓ It also includes how human
traits are passed from parents to
offspring through the genetic units
called genes.
Zoology ✓ It comes from the two Greek
words “zoion,” which means
animal and “logos,” which means
knowledge or study.
✓ It is a branch of natural science
that deals with the study of animal
kingdom, structure, evolution,
classification, and distribution of
animals and how they interact
with their ecosystems.
✓ A person studying zoology is
called a zoologist.
BRANCHES OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE DESCRIPTIONS TASK NO. 1 MY REFLECTIVE THINKING
Astronomy ✓ It is the study of celestial objects
(such as stars, galaxies, planets,
moons, asteroids, comets, and
nebulae), physics, chemistry, and
evolution of such objects, and
phenomena that originate outside
A. Social Science
the atmosphere of Earth, including
IMPORTANCE OF NATURE EXAMPLE OF REAL-LIFE
supernovae explosions, gamma- AND FUNCTIONS OF APPLICATION
ray bursts, and cosmic microwave SOCIAL SCIENCES
background radiation. 1.
Chemistry ✓ It is the study of the 2.
composition, structure, properties, 3.
4.
and changes of matter.
5.
Earth Science ✓ It is the study of how the natural B. Natural Sciences
environment (ecosphere or Earth IMPORTANCE OF NATURE AND EXAMPLE OF REAL-LIFE
system) works and how it evolved FUNCTIONS OF NATURAL APPLICATION
to its current state. SCIENCES
✓ It includes the study of the 1.
atmosphere, hydrosphere, 2.
lithosphere, and biosphere. 3.
Physics ✓ It is the study of matter and 4.
motion through space and time, 5.
along with related concepts such
as energy and force.
✓ Moreover, it is the general
analysis of nature, conducted to
understand how the universe
behaves.
References
Department of Education Curriculum and Instruction Strand. 2020. K to 12 Most Essential
Learning Competencies ( MELC ). Department of Education.

Compiled by Checked By
Jayson DR. Palisoc Agnes C. Tadeo