APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES

The applied social science has been established as a reaction to the specialization of the social science
knowledge that dominated the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Academic scholars argued that there is a need
for more partnership within the disciplines of the social sciences, and a practical application of various social science
disciplines. This new approach contributes a lot in understanding and resolving personal, community, or communal
issues through the use of the social sciences which is the primary basis of the applied social sciences.

Applied social Science is an integrated science cutting across and transcending numerous social science
disciplines in addressing a variety of issues in a contemporary, innovative, and dynamic approach. It integrates theory,
social research, skills, professional experiences, and critical thinking skills essential to fully address social phenomena.
Applied social science, therefore, is a wide-ranging field that draws on a different social theories and perspectives, and
combines theory and practice drawn from different social science disciplines that highlight the complexity of social
concerns.

EFFECTS OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES

The advantages derived from the applied social sciences produce abundant effects to individual members, communities,
and groups and to the whole society in general. With the applied social sciences, it increases awareness and knowledge
of oneself and others, attitude and value change, behavioral changes, and structural changes in society.

 Awareness and Knowledge

Most of what we know, from the most ordinary idea to complex abstract concepts, are polished through
education. Through applied social sciences, people have developed ways to understand and explain one's
self and that of the other people. Counseling, in an instance, allows us to understand one's personality,
characteristic, and behavior including problems and issues that may affect an individual.

In an area of social work, it provides awareness and better understanding of community issues because
social workers provide also the knowledge especially on community organizing and mobilizations. They also
notify the public about the important political, social, and economic issues and concerns that is affecting
them. Thus, to be able to attain the best of social functioning and to capacitate individuals and groups,
trainings and seminars on personal and community development are conducted by the social worker.

Additionally, these are very essential for quality participation and functioning in society for they incorporate
one's appreciation of both the inner-ecology and the social ecology.

We became aware of who we are as individuals, because of the presence of others with whom we share
our existence. When we come to recognize that there are other people and that they are essentially distinct
and different from us, that is the start of our social awareness that simultaneously leads us to become
conscious and aware of ourselves as beings or persons.

 Attitude and Value Change

Applied social sciences allow us to comprehend various social phenomena. People can make significant
changes and impact in their attitude and values to stop the existence of several natural and social problems.
For example, disaster risks can be prevented and mitigated through the use of applied social science. It
provides useful information on things to do before, during and after the disaster. Community social workers
may serve as agents of information by offering feasible corrective measures to reduce the impact of
 disasters. but relying only on disaster risk reduction and effective management of climate change is not
adequate; there is a need to have attitudinal and value transformation on negative inclinations like the
"bahala na" attitude; these cannot lead to individual, group, or community sustainability.

Our attitudes and values must change with time, so as to follow our new abilities to survive to emerge. Our
lifestyles are as good as they are sustainable and supported by our life means.

In order to solicit the active participation of the people in the community, they have to understand the basic
concepts of hazard, risk, and vulnerability in relation to the various phases of disaster risk reduction and
management. This process is a part of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Government and government institutions use various ways of communication campaigns to promote
changes in values, attitude and behavior. For instance, educating community against maltreatments,
violations and abuses against society's vulnerable sectors through video clips, posters, advertisement, and
public service announcement.

Applied social scientist can communicate the impact of social and environmental phenomena through their
interaction to the society, culture, and environment which can create a new perspective, a change of attitude
and values resiliencies towards man-made and environmental disasters.

 Behavioral Change

Applied social sciences processes can also bring about change in human behavior. It also introduces us to the
different political concerns and issues confronting our country today. Furthermore, it offers us solutions on
how to solve and address these political problems and issues.

In social work and counseling particularly, behavioral change focuses on promoting the well-being of the
person. Among which are children's problematic behavior such as non- compliance, temper tantrums, Over-
eating, and sleep disturbances.

Behavioral change can also focus on self-development, such as improving the grooming skills and personal
hygiene. Engler (2014) states that behavior change is maintained when the following conditions are present:
a. the new behavior has functional value for the individual; b. strong social and environmental support for
the behavior; and c. an individual's own self-evaluation becomes an important reinforcement.

 Structural Change

The applied social sciences allowed us to understand the details of the different structural problems and how
it changes through time. It helps us comprehend the different social problems and its dynamics and in the
process which proposes alternative solutions.

Social and family-related problems like gender issues, overseas migration, domestic violence, single
parenting, criminality, and substance abuse can be addressed through the initiative efforts of social workers,
community organizers, and counselors by providing alternative solutions, advises, guidance, and action.

Applied social sciences raise the community problems to a practical science to address personal family, group, and
community problems by helping individuals develop their capacity to fit well in the environment and by challenging the
environment to become better for individuals to flourish.