INTRODUCTION TO INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIAL THE SOCIAL SCIENCESSCIENCES

Social SciencesSocial SciencesThe social sciences describe The social sciences describe disciplines that explore human disciplines that explore human behavior and use the scientific behavior and use the scientific method. These disciplines involve method. These disciplines involve research and data collection and research and data collection and analysis. Social scientists apply analysis. Social scientists apply their research to help solve their research to help solve problems.problems.

THE SOCIAL SCIENCESTHE SOCIAL SCIENCESANTHROPOLOGYANTHROPOLOGY Studies the Studies the

behavior of behavior of human culture human culture from the past from the past and presentand present

The study of the The study of the unity and unity and diversity of diversity of human culture human culture and society from and society from a comparative a comparative and global and global perspective.perspective.

THE SOCIAL SCIENCESTHE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Example of an anthropological Example of an anthropological question is:question is:

Why is death celebrated in some Why is death celebrated in some cultures?cultures? Eg. Days of the Dead in MexicoEg. Days of the Dead in Mexico

THE SOCIAL SCIENCESTHE SOCIAL SCIENCESPSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGY Studies the Studies the

thought thought processes and processes and behavior of the behavior of the individual.individual.

An example of a An example of a psychology question psychology question is:is:

Does violent media Does violent media cause people to cause people to become violent?become violent?

THE SOCIAL SCIENCESTHE SOCIAL SCIENCES

SOCIOLOGYSOCIOLOGY Studies human social life and groups Studies human social life and groups

in society; how people act in group in society; how people act in group situationssituations

An example of a sociological question An example of a sociological question is:is:

Why is crime increasing amongst Why is crime increasing amongst lower-class income groups?lower-class income groups?

ETHICAL PROBLEMS IN RESEARCHETHICAL PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH

As you might imagine in a research As you might imagine in a research field involving human subjects, there field involving human subjects, there are a variety of ethical problems for are a variety of ethical problems for social science researchers. social science researchers.

Government regulations insure that Government regulations insure that most research is done according to most research is done according to strict guidelines with the fully strict guidelines with the fully informed consent of the subjects. informed consent of the subjects. – Not always been the case (e.g Milgram Not always been the case (e.g Milgram

experiment). experiment).

ETHICAL PROBLEMS IN RESEARCHETHICAL PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH

There is still some popular fear of There is still some popular fear of social science research involving social science research involving psychology. psychology. – data gathered by researchers will be data gathered by researchers will be

used to invade privacy or to support used to invade privacy or to support inappropriate ends.inappropriate ends.

ETHICAL PROBLEMS IN RESEARCHETHICAL PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH

A few examples of research that may A few examples of research that may involve ethical problems:involve ethical problems:– Market research used to encourage consumers Market research used to encourage consumers

to buy inappropriate products to buy inappropriate products – Jury research used to disallow jurors likely to Jury research used to disallow jurors likely to

have certain values or beliefshave certain values or beliefs– Polling research used to create candidate Polling research used to create candidate

platforms and marketing approaches platforms and marketing approaches – Research conducted by "house" researchers to Research conducted by "house" researchers to

demonstrate that something is not really a demonstrate that something is not really a problem (wide-spread gun availability is not problem (wide-spread gun availability is not really a problem or legalizing gambling is a really a problem or legalizing gambling is a social good) social good)

SOCIAL SCIENCE SOCIAL SCIENCE PROFESSIONSPROFESSIONS

Professions for the social sciences: Professions for the social sciences: Business Business Education Education JournalismJournalism LawLaw Public health Public health Social workSocial work Government workGovernment work International organizations International organizations PolicingPolicing Fire and RescueFire and Rescue