Social Sciences
Introduction
Social sciences are a group of academic disciplines dedicated to examining society. This branch of science uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about social order, acceptance, and change. Social sciences can be broadly divided into sociology, anthropology, psychology, political science, and economics. Each of these disciplines uses different methodologies that are designed to answer the questions they have posed.
History
The history of the social sciences begins in the Age of Enlightenment after 1650, which saw a revolution within natural philosophy, changing the basic framework by which individuals understood what was "scientific". Social sciences came forth from the moral philosophy of the time and were influenced by the Age of Revolutions, such as the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution. The social sciences developed from the sciences (experimental and applied), or the systematic knowledge-bases or prescriptive practices, relating to the social improvement of a group of interacting entities.
Branches of Social Sciences
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society and human social action. It generally concerns itself with the social rules and processes that bind and separate people not only as individuals, but as members of associations, groups, and institutions.
Anthropology
Anthropology is the holistic "science of humans", 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.
Psychology
Psychology is the science of behavior and mind, embracing all aspects of conscious and unconscious experience as well as thought. It is an academic discipline and a social science which seeks to understand individuals and groups by establishing general principles and researching specific cases.
Political Science
Political science is a social science which deals with systems of governance, and the analysis of political activities, political thoughts, and political behavior. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics which is commonly thought of as determining of the distribution of power and resources.
Economics
Economics is a social science concerned with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It studies how individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make choices on allocating resources to satisfy their wants and needs, and tries to determine how these groups should organize and coordinate efforts to achieve maximum output.
Methodologies
Social sciences employ a range of methods used to investigate phenomena, the most common of which are qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods are often used to develop a deep understanding of a social phenomenon. These methods may include participant observation, field research, in-depth interviews, and interpretative phenomenological analysis. On the other hand, quantitative methods are generally used to seek mathematical evidence for hypotheses or theories. These methods may include surveys, statistical modeling, and experiments.
Impact and Applications
The social sciences have a wide range of applications, from understanding the impact of economic policies on global markets to studying the effects of climate change on human migration. These disciplines also have a significant impact on society, influencing everything from government policies to individual decisions.