Understanding of Human Behavior Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 2130 words ( 7 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 7

Page 1 of 7

Human Relation -- A Social Science Perspective

Fundamental differences between the social sciences and the natural sciences

Science is commonly taken to be an attempt at predicting, understanding, and explaining our world, using distinctive modes of analysis for developing theories. However, defining a collection of attributes that distinguish sciences from religion, fortune telling, astrology and other such disciplines (not categorized under sciences), which also aim at understanding and explaining our world, is not a simple task (Okasha, 2002). Wittgenstein maintained, in the context of games, that no fixed group of features exists for defining a "game" -- one can, however, find a loose collection of common features that most games possess; Okasha feels that sciences can also be explained in a similar manner. On the basis of some common features among sciences, two branches of science -- social and natural sciences -- will be contrasted in this paper (Donmez & Domigall, 2011).

Social sciences

The field of social science focuses on human society, societal institutions, social groups, social relationships among people, and cultural and material goods as manifestations of human coexistence. Different branches of study in social sciences all address the above subjects (Bayer, 1992).

The scientific study of human society and societal relationships is a much younger discipline as compared to natural sciences. Despite scholars' interest in societal interactions for several centuries, social interactions only began being studied scientifically in the nineteenth century, which saw the publication of sociological works such as Auguste Comte's Systeme de politique positive and Emile Durkheim's Suicide; Comte's work laid the foundation for a positivist social science approach (Donmez & Domigall, 2011).

Natural sciences

Natural sciences have been defined by Ledoux (2002, p. 34) as branches of study that exclusively examine natural events (or in other words, natural dependent and independent variables) by the use of scientific methodology. Natural sciences typically, but not exclusively, employs scientific methodology, but this isn't the key feature differentiating social science from it; rather, the distinguishing aspect is the emphasis on natural phenomena. Natural sciences represent branches of learning that explore natural, physical processes or objects through the use of scientific methodology (Ossenbrink & Stephan, 2013).

Buchel (1992) states that the natural science field emerged from Renaissance thinkers' revolutionized views about the world; these intellectuals called into question prior explanations regarding the world, seeking new, systematic modes of enquiry. Galileo, Copernicus and other pioneers of the Renaissance period's scientific revolution became absorbed with issues from the fields of physics, astronomy, etc. Natural sciences stemmed from a curiosity regarding the world around us, in addition to the attempt to alter nature to mankind's advantage (i.e., for meeting human needs), which couldn't, earlier, be freely pursued (Buchel, 1992).

Describe the three social science disciplines and the commonalities and differences among them

Sociology

Sociology deals with studying social life, as well as human activities' societal causes and effects. C. Wright Mills states, in brief, that sociology seeks public issues which are at the root of private problems. The difference between sociology and popular ideas pertaining to human behavior is that the former utilizes scientific modes of investigation systematically, and challenges numerous undisputed and common sense perceptions of the social world surrounding us. Sociological thinking entails looking more closely at the social world; this makes us realize that, quite often, things aren't how they appear. For instance, sociologists perceive unemployment as an interaction of social, economic and political influences that decide how many jobs are created and who can access them, rather than as the issue of an individual unable to get a job.

Anthropology

Anthropology represents a general, all-inclusive analysis of humans. The field of anthropology is often confused with two of the disciplines covered under it, namely, physical anthropology (or the study of bones) and archaeology (digging up ancient sites). Anthropology actually encompasses both the above sub-disciplines, in addition to cultural anthropology, which denotes the study of living cultures (ranging from Africa's gatherers and hunters, to USA's corporations). Cultural anthropologists actually dwell on a stretch of time in the cultural setting they intend to explore, to gain an in-depth perspective. The sphere of physical anthropology doesn't merely involve studying bones - mankind's physical evolution is reconstructed here, and professionals in the field study human physical adaptations, as well as primates (humans, monkeys, apes, and prosimians). The main reason behind studying all this is to gain an insight on human beings (Gustavus Adolphus College, 2015).

Political Science

Political science refers to the branch of knowledge that studies power and politics from national, global, and comparative viewpoints.

Stuck Writing Your "Understanding of Human Behavior" Essay?

View All Our Example Understanding of Human Behavior Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

It encompasses understanding political concepts, philosophies, systems, policies, institutions, and activities, in addition to government, law, classes, groups, strategy, war and diplomacy. A political science background is helpful for political action, citizenship, and pursuing careers in law, government, public service, business, and media (northwestern University, 2015).

Five myths govern political science: l) political science revolves around politics; 2) it is a scientific field; 3) politics can be studied independently from sociology, economics, history and psychology; 4) in capitalist democratic countries, the state is neutral, in political terms, i.e., it can be availed of, as a collection of processes, systems and institutions, by whichever political party gets elected into the government; and 5) the discipline of political science furthers democracy's cause (Ollman, 2015).

Commonality and differences

The field of sociology characteristically explores first-world populations, while anthropology is more concerned with exploring prehistoric cultures. However, the key difference between these two is philosophical in nature: while sociologists deal with society, anthropologists deal with culture. Although both the above fields have different focuses, they still have a lot in common. Both fields comprehensively deal with their respective areas of focus, are concerned with how society shapes the lives of people, and endeavor to stimulate understanding. (Gustavus Adolphus College, 2015).

The term, political sociology, a fusion of sociology and political science, occurs at the borderline between the two disciplines. Many academicians consider this term irritating, believing it to sound like a misnomer or mistake. Political sociology's basic aim is analysis of politics, and not establishing any political plan of action. When taken from this perspective, political sociology is not any more political compared to other sociology branches. The phrase 'sociology of political entities' would be more fitting to generally describe special sociology branches. There are, however, specific reasons cited for distinguishing between the two, mainly because of 2 different development approaches (Allardt, 1969).

Studying the social world

Tools

1. Case Study Research

This research method entails thorough analysis of subjects at particular places and instances. It is employed for the purpose of identifying attitudes, beliefs and views of most of the involved groups involved, in addition to interactions among them.

1. Comparative Research

This research method deals with comparison of two or more studies; specific treatments, elements, and features are compared across different situations by managers. Longitudinal comparisons are also included among comparative studies.

1. Content Analysis

Content analysis refers to reviewing documents, newspapers, manuscripts, interview transcripts, books, websites, etc. for identifying intrinsic meanings, or qualifying phrases'/key words' occurrences. The procedure aids identification of trends and patterns in discussions regarding social, political and biological events, as well as identification of patterns representing related opinions, attitudes and principles.

1. Ethnographic Research

This research technique is adopted for acquiring a profound understanding of groups' history, traditions, values, practices, and circumstances. It facilitates understanding of stakeholders, and also highlights cultural practices and values that may be beneficial to managers (California Department of Fish and Game, 2008).

Issues of social world

Humanity's foremost problem in recent times, which must be the focus of social scientists, has nothing to do with science, but rather, revolves around ethics and how man must live. There can be no scientific answer to this question, as science can only address 'what' and 'if-then' questions. When it comes to telling us what is to be done or how we should be, science fails. Human activities can be tackled by science as objects, not as subjects. Our choice of living and actions are subjective. Mankind's current dilemma is one that puts life on this planet in grave jeopardy, as well as offers assurance of genuine humanism; this dilemma is grounded on knowledge accumulation that is, however, owing to capital's obscure social form (Blunden, 2000).

Equating value or capital with knowledge may seem surprising initially. However, knowledge represents the cumulative capability of making something happen; it is human practice's ideal substance. While it may demonstrate itself as the mind's internal state, human practice lends it value. There is no argument here regarding whether value and knowledge are the same; rather, the bourgeoisie tend to bring both into identity. Hence, they are, essentially same. In fact, the issue of knowledge was the bourgeois era's primary task. Working classes were not tasked with resolving scientific issues (the theoretic stance); they only had to lead life humanly (the practical stance). All through the bourgeois era, the theories of capital and knowledge, as well as their social forms, have.....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


Related Essays

Conflict Resolution Education and Theory Bible

model, conflict transformation, and conflict transmutation (Dixit, 2004). Theoretical bases for conflict resolution include both macro-level and micro-level frameworks that guide understanding of human behavior and decision-making (Cunningham, 1998). Many theories of conflict resolution at some point refer to human needs theory, which helps clarify sources of conflict as being traceable to unmet needs. Conflict arises when fundamental needs are not being met, and resolutions are more likely to arise when parties recognize what their needs are as well as those of their opponents. Conflict resolution theories based on needs theory focus on how multiple parties with differential needs can reach peaceable and mutually beneficial solutions (Burton, 1990). The goal of… Continue Reading...

sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Understanding Of Human Behavior" (2015, September 10) Retrieved April 29, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/understanding-human-behavior-2156077

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Understanding Of Human Behavior" 10 September 2015. Web.29 April. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/understanding-human-behavior-2156077>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Understanding Of Human Behavior", 10 September 2015, Accessed.29 April. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/understanding-human-behavior-2156077
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example