SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

DISCIPLINES AND IDEAS IN THE

APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES
Quarter 2 – Module 6:
Effects of applied social sciences processes on
individuals, groups, and society
 Lesson
Effects of Applied Social Sciences processes
6

Every action entails a consequence or consequences- the effects of which are determined by
the quality of the action taken. Having learned from the previous modules about the various Applied
Social Science processes (Counseling, Social Work, and Communication), you have understood the
actions done as for their application. This time, you will proceed to discovering the different effects
that these processes will have to you as an individual, to various groups and organizations, and to the
society as a whole.
Just like what the teaching of our Hindu and Buddhist brethren about karma says, “what we do
will eventually get back to us.” Learning about the effects of the Applied Social Science processes will
provide us ample knowledge of how the Applied Social Sciences work in our personal and social life.
It will lead us to ponder about the importance of these processes in our lives.
The Applied Social Sciences deals with using the findings of social science disciplines to do
something. The Applied Social Science processes have various effects on the different sectors of
society. Some of these processes include counseling, social work, and communication.

The application of various ideas, concepts, and theories from the social sciences gives
significant impact to individuals, groups, and the society. The applied social science seeks to use
basic social science research and theory to improve the daily life of communities, organizations, and
persons. Thus, it is expected that its effects would be for the betterment and positive change towards
an individual, group, or society. The effects of the applied social sciences may include awareness and
knowledge of oneself and others, attitude and value changes, behavioral changes, and structural
changes.

EFFECTS OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES PROCESSES:

1. AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE

Self-understanding is the knowledge or awareness of one’s own character, feelings,

capabilities, or motivations. Counseling makes a person understand his/her personality better, along
with different problems that could affect him/her. Counselors provide an avenue for individuals and
groups to look at life in a better perspective. Social work gives awareness and comprehension on
various aspect of community life. It helps provide awareness to the people about the hazards of drugs
and criminality in the community for example, through their various seminars and awareness
campaigns. Social workers are frontrunners in mobilizing the society by providing its people with
capability building trainings. They also help alleviate the people’s idea of marginalization by spreading
information for social justice.

In terms of communication, the applied social sciences process could make people more
perceptive and critical. It helps the society to see situations clearly and intelligently. Television, radio,
and newspaper provide people information on the different issues faced by the country. Through
media, people also become more aware of the social realities. Journalism helps provide accurate and
reliable information. As the 21st century unfolds, new forms of media emerged like the social media.

The social media is a form of electronic communication (such as websites for social
networking) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal
messages, and other content. Since everyone can create content through social media, there arose
the problem of fake news- the unverified misleading information which lures readers to believe on
false grounds. With the help of applied social science practitioners, we became aware and learned
how to analyze and discern the truth.
2. ATTITUDE AND VALUE CHANGE

Attitude is a way of thinking or feeling about someone or something. Meanwhile, value is the
importance or worth a person attaches to something. What we perceive or feel and what we value
could be affected by various social phenomena presented to us by applied social science processes.
People can alter their attitudes and values in dealing with various predicaments.

Disaster risk reduction for instance, is a good application of applied social science. Disaster
risk reduction (DRR) is a systematic approach to determine, evaluate, and reduce the danger of
catastrophes. With the information we gain from applied social science, we develop a thinking of what
to do before, during, and after calamities for example. Media and community social workers furnish us
with knowledge that can help us modify our attitude and values into whichever is deemed necessary
for the situation. The help of counselors for those affected by the disaster is of great importance to
uplift the morale of the affected individuals.

Climate change is the change in weather patterns or conditions in a particular place or region.
Eventually, through media, its implication to the people and their environment were revealed and
explained, providing people with ample idea on giving importance to our only habitat- planet Earth.
Reports from radios, television, and newspapers regarding climate change led people to think of
alternatives to avoid earth’s destruction. Social workers and counsellors could help people realize on
caring about the environment and could encourage them to seek solutions for the problem.

‘Bahala na’ is a phrase Filipinos use most often which could mean ‘leaving it all up to God’,
‘come what may’, or ‘whatever will be will be’. It is a way of life, an attitude, a habit which eventually
turns into negative because people tend to be lenient and irresponsible of their actions. With the help
of counselors and communication media, this attitude could be mitigated with the new perspectives
the applied social science processes offer. The social workers could also help by working in the grass
root level of society to encourage people to be more responsible with their attitudes and value
system.

3. BEHAVIORAL CHANGE

Behavior means the way in which one acts or conducts oneself towards others. It could be
conscious or unconscious and could be inherited or learned. Behavioral change refers to any
transformation or modification of human behavior. Applied social science processes also brings
change to behavior, thus improving the welfare of the people and the society they are living in. For
example, it is being said whenever a person has power over other people or thing, it makes him/her
corrupt. It morally destroys their nature and fills them with destructive pride. In dealing with power,
counselors can be consulted to avoid the abuse of such which could lead into corruption if not
mitigated. The media can intervene by being watchdogs for those who are abusing their power like in
politics to stop such behavior. Social workers could also provide training and forum so that people will
start acting better like in choosing good leaders to avoid corruption.

Conflict management is the process of limiting the differences that prevents agreement among
individuals, groups or even nations. It aims to enhance learning and group outcomes, including
effectiveness or performance in an organizational setting. In terms of dealing with conflict, counselors
taught us the idea of ‘fight or flight’- when to defend ourselves and when to listen to the other’s point
of view. Social workers help in conflict management every time they try to resolve ground level
community problems. The media provide a holistic perspective of parties in conflict to help others
discern on how to resolve their feud.

Same goes with the peace building process. Building peace has been the aim of UNESCO
since it was founded in 1945 after the devastating World Wars. UNESCO’s vision is to prevent war
through shared humanity, solidarity and understanding. Counselors emphasize the culture of peace
especially in this diverse world and societies for them to act in a humane way. Social workers
promote respect among individuals and groups to maintain peace and order. The media reports all
about the peace building activities around the globe to encourage people to behave in a more
harmonious way. Efforts made by the UNESCO and ASEAN are very important to promote peace.

There is also the behavioral risk assessment which is the process of managing workplace
behaviors of employees and organizations that have negative impact on productivity of an
organization. Counselors help people in conflict with the in their workplace to change their behavior
and live a productive life. Social workers conduct seminars about the value of life to avoid the suicide
attempts of people with big problems. The media creates entertaining content for people to focus on
the positive side of life.

4. STRUCTURAL CHANGE

The community is made up of sectors which makes up its structure. These structures need to
adapt to changes but remain strong for its continuity for future generations. Persons and family
relations deal with the issues of family matters such as marriage, annulment and voiding of marriage,
adoption, property settlements between spouses, parental authority, support for spouses and
children, emancipation, inheritance of children from their parents and between relatives. In our
country, this is covered under the Family Code of the Philippines. In terms of family relations, there
are the counselors and social workers who work hand-in-hand to promote a strong family since it is
the basic unit of society. Media give them updates from time to time. In this time where single
parenting becoming common. Good thing there are counselors and social workers to stop the
discrimination towards single parents and their children. Nowadays, overseas migration created a
community of Overseas Filipino Worker. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) represent a subset of
overseas Filipinos and are temporary migrants. Counselors help them by providing mental support
since they will be away from their families.

Gender refers to the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with sex but in a
broader sense. It is more of social and cultural rather than biological. In terms of gender, counselors
and social workers promote gender equality to support people like those belonging to the vulnerable
individuals like women and the LGBTQ plus community. The media provide update and information
like the SOGIE bill for the LGBTQ to feel belongingness. In the issue of domestic violence,
counselors and social workers are there to help abused individuals. Media also promote laws like the
Anti-Violence Against Women and Children to mitigate domestic violence. Domestic violence refers to
violent r aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or
partner. Speaking about criminality and substance abuse, counselors and social workers believe that
life is important even the life of a criminal. Criminality refers to behavior that is contrary to or forbidden
by criminal law while substance abuse is the overindulgence in or dependence on an addictive
substance, especially alcohol or drugs refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive
substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. Hence, counselors and social workers help these
people by assessing them in order to give them another chance to be free and enjoy life, a righteous
life. Community is a group of people sharing the same environment and interests. The way of life of a
person could be shaped by the behavior in one’s community. In terms of community life, counselors
made us aware that there are different walks of life in this society hence people should respect
diversity of culture but also correct some inhumane community behaviors such as cannibalism, the
practice of sati, slavery etc. Social workers and media help by information campaigns and news
sharing.
 Disciplines and Ideas in Applied Social Science
Activity Sheet

Name: ________________________ Section: _________________ Date: ____________ Score: ______________

Direction: Read the short article then write the effects of what these practitioners will have to
the individual, group, and society.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eventually, it spread across the globe to many countries (The ASEAN Magazine, 2020). Philippines is
not an exception to its spread when it recorded its first confirmed case last January 30, 2020. With
this, the government crafted Republic Act No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act” which
gives power to the president to adopt emergency measures to respond to the needs of the Filipinos in
this time of crisis. These measures include medical response, subsidy to poor households, and
economic support. With the need for action in dealing with the crisis, the applied social science
processes came into the scene. Here are some applied social science practitioners doing their task
during the pandemic:

Applied Social Science process Effects to Effects to group Effects to

individual society

A counselor doing teletherapy with her client

Social workers giving aide to the people

A journalist reporting during the

pandemic