DISS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SHEET LESSON 1

The Social Sciences

Fields in social science have been useful in understanding how societies and individuals come together
and operate.
Clarify the relationships between social sciences and applied social sciences (HUMSS_DIASS 12-Ia-
1).
● Define social science as a field of study.
● Explain the different branches of social science.

Social Science
Anthropology
● human interactions, relationships, behaviors, and actions
● concerned with all the aspects of human society
● deals with problems of society and offers a viable solution or alternative to them
● origin of man
● evolution of man
Economics
● economic survival of people
● managing of resources
Geography
● physical properties of the earth
● influence of location on people’s behavior
History
● important events in humankind
● circumstances that lead to the present-day living of people
Linguistics
● human languages integrated in human interactions
● role of language in every aspect of society and daily living
Political Science
● state and government
● allocation of power
● governing entities
Psychology
● human mind and behavior
● understanding why people behave or act in a certain way, same or uniquely with others
Sociology
● social institutions
● social interaction
● social change
Demography
• human population of an identified location
• births, deaths, marriages
• migration

● Social science deals with human interactions, relationships, behaviors, and actions. It focuses
on the dynamics of humans and those phenomena that occur in human society.
● To find concrete understanding, explanation, and solution to social issues and problems, social
science is divided into various subfields or branches such as:
○ anthropology
○ economics
○ geography
 ○ history
○ linguistics
○ political science
○ psychology
○ sociology
○ demography

Lesson 1.2
The Applied Social Sciences
Cite differences among the applied social sciences (HUMSS_DIASS 12-la-2).
● Define applied social science as a field of study.
● Explain the different tracks of applied social science.

Applied Social Sciences

• application of the different theories and ideas of social science in understanding society
• provide alternative ways of solving society’s diverse problems

Fields of Applied Social Sciences

● Counseling
● Social Work
● Communication Studies

Applied Social Sciences

• Imagine how social science helps improve society.

• Through social science, better institutions, systems, and responses to societal issues have
been offered to improve people’s lives.
• Societal issues are solved using theories, perspectives, and practices drawn from different
social science disciplines.

“a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish
mental health, wellness, education, and career goals”
- American Counseling Association (2010)

Counseling
● issues at the level of individual or families
● one-to-one relationship with clients
• techniques backed by theories and research in psychology and sociology
• “a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and
development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people”
- International Federation of Social Workers (2014)

Social Work
● improves individual and collective well-being
● addresses problems that occur at the structural level
● finding ways to address issues related to the system

Social Work
• concerned with how verbal and nonverbal messages create meaning and impact human
behavior
Communication Studies
● studies how persons and groups communicate with each other
● examines how organizations disseminate messages and communicate to the public

How do applied social sciences help society?

● The applied social sciences focus on how to apply the different theories and ideas of social
science in understanding society and provide ways to solve its diverse problems.
● The three fields of applied social sciences are:
○ counseling – professional guidance given to an individual by applying psychological
methods;
○ social work – focuses on the improvement of individual and collective well-being; and
○ communication studies – focuses on how messages create meaning and create an
impact on human behavior.

Lesson 1.3
Relationship between the Social Sciences and Applied Social Sciences
The social sciences and applied social sciences work hand in hand in order to improve society.
Clarify the relationships between the social sciences and applied social sciences (HUMSS_DIASS 12-
Ia-1).
● Explain the relationship between the social sciences and the applied social sciences.
● Discuss how concepts and theories in the social sciences can be applied to individual and
societal concerns and activities.
How do the social sciences and the applied social sciences work hand in hand to improve life in society?

Psychology and Counseling

Psychology
● study of the human mind and behavior
● aims to describe, explain, predict, and when necessary, change behavior
Counseling
• process that involves helping clients learn healthy behaviors, gain self-insight, and cope with
problems of living

Why does a counselor need to have knowledge of psychology?

Sociology and Social Work

Sociology
• deals with the study of social life, interaction, and institutions
• examines how societal factors such as social class, gender roles, and institutions affect
people’s lives
Social Work
• promotes social change, development, and unity to empower people and communities to bring
about change
How do social workers use their knowledge of sociology to help other people?

Communication and Linguistics

Communication
• Thoughts or ideas are communicated through the use of symbols, signs, or behaviors.
● may be verbal or non-verbal
● involving elements such as sender, receiver, message, and channel or medium
Linguistics
● study of language
 ●studies the structure of human language, how it evolved, and how it applies to every aspect of
human activity
● focuses on describing and documenting language and its implications
Communication
● Refers to the way of exchanging messages or information between two or more individuals
● process
● Message
● All sensory channels

How do the principles and theories of linguistics guide communication?

● Psychology is a branch of science that studies how the mind works and how people behave.
● Counseling is a process involving a relationship between a counselor and his or her clients
with the aim of helping the latter attain greater self-awareness and cope with problems of living.
● Sociology deals with the study of social life, interaction, and societal structures such as
organizations and institutions.
● Social work is a type of profession that involves the promotion of social change, development,
and unity by empowering individuals and communities.
● Communication is a process by which thoughts or ideas are communicated through the use
of symbols, signs, or behavior.
● Linguistics is the study of language, its forms, structure, evolution, and sociocultural context.
1. Explain the relationship between the work of a psychologist and a counselor.
2. Explain the relationship between the work of a sociologist and a social worker.

Lesson 1.4
Basic Concepts of Counseling
Counseling does not correct a mistake or misconduct. Rather, it aims to help clients adjust in life.
Identify the goals and scope of counseling (HUMSS_DIASS 12-Ib-3).
● Explain the definition of counseling.
● Identify the different types, forms, and dimensions of counseling.

Definition of Counseling
● a profession and a discipline
● an interactive and learning process
Counseling
• “Counseling is a learning process in which individuals learn about themselves, their
interpersonal relationships, and behaviors that advance their personal development (Shertzer
and Stone 1976).”

Counseling as a Learning Process

● Improve knowledge about one’s self.
● Identify strengths and weaknesses.
● Evaluate one’s capabilities.
● According to Dustin and George (1973), counseling is a learning process designed to increase
adaptive behavior and decrease maladaptive behavior.
● “Counselling is an interactive process conjoining the counsellee who needs assistance and the
counsellor who is trained and educated to give this assistance.” (Perez 1965)
Counseling as an Interactive Process
● “Through his communication of feelings of respect, tolerance, spontaneity, and warmth, the
counselor initiates, facilitates, and maintains the interactive process (Perez 1965).”
● The counselor establishes a safe space.
● The counselee may share his or her dilemma, and the counselor will listen.
● The counselee also listens to the points of the counselor.
 ● “Counselling is a process by which a troubled person (the client) is helped to feel and behave
in a more personally satisfying manner through interaction with an involved person (the
counsellor) who provides information and reactions which stimulate the client to develop
behaviours which enable him to deal more effectively with himself and his environment.” (Lewis
1970)

● Counseling is a relational and interactive process because its success does not depend on
the counselor or the client alone. Both have to work together to achieve progress and
healing.

Counseling offers healing and a path to the solution of one’s dilemma.

Potential Outcomes of Counseling

Resolution
● achieving an understanding or perspective on the problem
● arriving at a solution or new perspective on the problem or dilemma
● taking action to change the situation in which the problem arose

Sample situation:
You feel overwhelmed with the amount of schoolwork that you have to do, and you feel burdened with
anxious thoughts about your own ability to accomplish them. With the help of a counselor, you can have
someone to listen to you and also provide you with valuable skills to help you better take care of yourself
and cope with your academic load.

Learning
● new understanding of one’s self or one’s issue at hand
● new skills needed to deal with the problem
● new methods or strategies for coping

Sample situation:
You find it hard to manage thoughts that make you feel sad or anxious. Counseling can help you deal
with them through skills such as noticing your emotions, focusing on the present moment, or questioning
the truthfulness of your interpretations.

Social Inclusion
“Counselling stimulates the energy and capacity of the person as someone who can contribute to the
well-being of others and the social good.” (McLeod 2004, 16)
Counseling and Psychotherapy
● Both can help people with problems in living such as grief, stress, and relationship problems.
● Psychotherapists are more equipped to deal with severe psychological disorders.

What’s their difference?

What is the main goal or purpose of counseling?
● Counseling is a learning process, wherein through the guidance of a counselor, the client
learns more about himself or herself, his or her responses to the environment, and ways of
becoming a more productive member of the society.
● As an interactive process, counseling aims to establish a safe space for the client, and through
the interaction, the client becomes more self-aware, learns either acceptance or problem-
solving, and achieves new and more effective ways of coping.
● Potential outcomes of counseling include: resolution or a solution to the problem, learning or
new knowledge or skills that could help the client cope better, and social inclusion.
● Counseling and psychotherapy use similar techniques and approaches, but they are different
in the severity of problems that they are equipped to deal with.
Lesson 1.5
Goals and Scope of Counseling
Goal-setting is an important aspect of many endeavors in life, including counseling.
Identify the goals and scope of counseling (HUMSS_DIASS 12-Ib-3).
● Identify the different goals or aims of counseling.
● Discuss the scope of counseling.

How does the type or kind of goal affect the process of counseling?

Goals of Counseling
What are the goals of counseling?
Goals are the desired result of a process. Since counseling caters to many types of clients with different
concerns, it also has varying goals and objectives.
● Goals of Counseling (Gibson and Mitchell 2003)
● Aims of Counseling (McLeod 2003)

1. Developmental Goal – developing human growth (social life, personal life, psychological and
physical well-being)
Examples: developing a growth mindset, developing a reading habit
Goals of Counseling (Gibson and Mitchell 2003)
2. Preventive Goal – avoiding undesirable outcomes, behavior, or habits
Example: managing test anxiety the next time the client will take an exam
Goals of Counseling (Gibson and Mitchell 2003)
3. Enhancement Goal – enhancing special skills or abilities → self-actualization
Example: improving public speaking skills
Goals of Counseling (Gibson and Mitchell 2003)
4. Remedial Goal – overcoming and treating an undesirable development
Example: overcoming alcohol addiction
Goals of Counseling (Gibson and Mitchell 2003)
5. Exploratory Goal – exploring new fields, activities, and skills
Example: being involved in adventure sports (e.g., rock climbing, hiking) to avoid gambling addiction
Goals of Counseling (Gibson and Mitchell 2003)
6. Reinforcement Goal – adopting or maintaining psychologically helpful actions, thoughts, and
feelings
Example: managing one’s anxiety when talking to new people
Goals of Counseling (Gibson and Mitchell 2003)
7. Cognitive Goal – acquiring foundational skill of learning and other cognitive skills
Example: improving sustained attention or focus on an activity for a long period of time
Goals of Counseling (Gibson and Mitchell 2003)
8. Physiological Goal – learning and developing habits for good health
Example:
setting an exercise routine
Goals of Counseling (Gibson and Mitchell 2003)
9. Psychological Goal – controlling emotions, having a positive self-concept, and developing
interaction skills
Example: learning to properly express anger without hurting oneself or others
Goals of Counseling (Gibson and Mitchell 2003)

Aims of Counseling (McLeod 2003)

1. insight
understanding origins and development of emotional difficulties
2. relating with others
developing behavior or habits that can help create and maintain meaningful and satisfying relationships
with others
3. self-awareness
● gaining awareness and recognizing thoughts or feelings
● avoiding denial of these thoughts and feelings
4. self-acceptance
accepting and acknowledging the whole self
5. self-actualization or individuation
achieving one's full potential and overcoming conflicts within oneself
6. enlightenment
achieving spiritual awakening or having a clearer perspective in life
7. problem-solving
finding a solution to a certain dilemma, issue, or problem that one cannot handle alone
8. psychological education
acquiring ideas and strategies that can help him or her understand his or her own behavior
9. acquisition of social skills
— acquiring, learning, and mastering certain skills that are necessary for social and interpersonal
interactions (e.g., maintaining eye contact)
10. cognitive change
modifying or replacing unnecessary thoughts and irrational beliefs
11. behavior change
modifying or replacing self-destructive behavior
12. systemic change
changing patterns of behavior within a certain system such as the family → more productive and
meaningful interactions
13. empowerment
developing or acquiring certain skills and to gain knowledge and awareness of one’s capabilities → full
control of one’s life
14. restitution
making up for previous destructive behavior
15. generativity and social action
encouraging to do work for the collective good of society or a community

Scope of Counseling
● individual or personal counseling
● family counseling
● community counseling
● career counseling
● behavioral counseling
● health counseling

What is the relevance of knowing the varying goals and scope of counseling?

● In counseling, goals are established by the counselor and the client to create a roadmap
of progress and a step-by-step process. Goal-setting helps both the counselor and the client
achieve their desired outcome.
● Mitchell and Gibson (2003) identified nine goals of counseling—namely, developmental,
preventive, enhancement, remedial, exploratory, reinforcement, cognitive, physiological, and
psychological goals.
● McLeod (2003) also identified various aims of counseling—namely, insight, relating with
others, self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-actualization or individuation, enlightenment,
problem-solving, psychological education, acquisition of social skills, cognitive change,
 behavior change, systemic change, empowerment, restitution, and generativity and social
action.
● The scope of counseling includes individual or personal counseling, family counseling,
community counseling, career counseling, behavioral counseling, and even health counseling.

How does establishing goals in counseling help the counselor and the client?
If an individual is suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, which among the goals of counseling can
be used as the basis in helping him or her? Explain why.

Prepared by:

KINBERLEE D. ARREVALO
DISS Facilitator