Social science is the study of human society and social relationships.
It
encompasses various academic disciplines that examine how individuals
behave and interact within societies, exploring topics like culture, economics,
politics, and human behavior. Social science aims to understand how
societies function and how individuals and groups are influenced by their
social environment.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Key aspects of social science:
Study of human behavior:
Social science investigates how people think, feel, and act in different social
contexts.
Analysis of social structures:
It examines the organization of societies, including institutions like family,
government, and the economy.
Understanding social interactions:
Social science explores how individuals relate to each other and how these
interactions shape social dynamics.
Examination of social phenomena:
It investigates various social issues like inequality, poverty, crime, and political
systems.
Application of research methods:
Social science utilizes various research methods, including surveys, interviews, and
statistical analysis, to gather data and draw conclusions.
Informing policy and practice:
Social science findings can be used to inform public policy, social programs, and
business strategies.
Examples of social science disciplines:
Anthropology: The study of humanity, including its cultures, societies, and
physical development.
Sociology: The study of society, social behavior, and social institutions.
Psychology: The study of the mind and behavior, including individual and group
behavior.
Political Science: The study of politics, government, and political systems.
Economics: The study of how societies allocate resources to meet their needs.
Geography: The study of the Earth's surface, including its physical features and
human populations.
History: The study of past events and their impact on the present.
Linguistics: The study of language and its structure.
Law: The study of legal systems and their impact on society.
Importance of social science:
Understanding social issues:
Social science helps us understand complex social problems and develop
solutions.
Informing decision-making:
It provides valuable insights for policymakers, businesses, and individuals when
making decisions.
Promoting social progress:
Social science research can lead to positive social change and improved well-
being.
Enhancing social awareness:
It helps us understand different cultures and perspectives, fostering tolerance and
empathy.
Developing critical thinking skills:
Social science education encourages students to analyze information, evaluate
evidence, and form their own opinion
Teaching of Social Science
Paper – 06 Meaning, Definition, Nature and Scope of Social Science
Introduction: The term Social Science is loosely applied to any kind of study which is concerned with
man and society. But in the strict sense, it refers to the application of scientific methods of the study of
intricate and complex network of human relationships and the forms of organization desired to enable
people to live together in societies” Meaning of Social Sciences: Social Science comprise academic
disciplines concerned with the study of social life of human groups, animals and individuals including
Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work and Sociology. Social Science is a generic
term covering the scientific study of men. Definitions: The meaning of Social Science has been defined
differently by different eminent educationalist and philosophers. Some of them are listed below: 1.
Young and Mack: “By social Science, we mean those bodies of knowledge compiled through the use or
scientific method which deal with the forms and contents of man’s interaction”. 2. Alexander Pope:
“Known than thyself presume not god to the proper study of mankind is man” 3. James High: “Social
Sciences are those bodies of learning and study which recognize simultaneous and mutual action of
physical and non-physical stimuli which produce social reaction.” 4. Charles Beard: “Social Sciences are a
body of knowledge and thought pertaining to human affairs as distinguished from stick, stones, stars
and physical objects.” Emergence of Social Sciences – A brief Historical Background): The beginning of
the tradition of Social Sciences has been one of the major development of the story of their own could
get the recognition as “Social Sciences” only in the the 19th Century. Thinkers and writers such as
Hirodotus, Aristotle and Manu (the great law giver), Kautilya and authority on Arthashastra and many
other has written good treaties on different areas of Social Sciences more than 2000 years ago. The
Political and Social atmosphere of ancient Greece, Rome and India also favored the kind of intellectual
exercises. During 17th and 18th centuries the processes of Renaissance gave a big impetus to the
continuation to the tradition of reasoning. This change is the is the intellectual atmosphere favored the
development of sciences which came to be called “Social Sciences.” Nature of Social Science: An analysis
of the point of view quoted above will bring out the following main natures of Social Sciences: a) As the
Social Science is the scientific study of men, it includes different independent disciplines such Sociology,
Philosophy, Linguistics, Statistics, History, Economics, Political Science, Civics etc. So far as humanities
are concerned it includes Logic, Grammar and Rhetoric. b) Social Science is mainly the subject of society.
This subjects deals with various societies, their distinct characters, their forms and interdependence
between people and society. c) Social Science is a dynamic and not a constant subject. With changing
outlook, behavior and hobbies of the people it has been changed from time to time. d) Social Science is
a broad and composite instructional area which draws its information from different other branches. It
helps in the study of relations, and inter-relations, historical,geographical and local area and so provides
to the young useful knowledge. e) Ir primarily concerned with different aspects of man’s way to living,
his basic needs, the activities in which he engages himself to meet his other needs he has developed. f)
Another dominant nature behind the teaching of Social Science is to commit the learner to the basic
principles and purposes of the society in which he lives in. These are the main nature of Social Science.
Scope of Social Science: Scope refers to the comprehensiveness, variety of the extent of a particular
subject. Ir deals with the programs to be included in a learning situation. The scope of Social Science is
quite vivid and vast. The breadth of Social Sciences should provide for a variety of experiences so that
the children’s learning will be well rounded and well balanced. Therefore, the teaching of Social Sciences
should be comprehensive in nature. It should cover all the problems and situations that arise in our day-
to-day life. The main theme of the subject is the study of man in society and environment. In framing
the curriculum an attempt should be made to see whether certain subjects can be grouped or
particularly taught, then learners will get broad areas of human knowledge and interest. Thus, it is
psychologically preferable to present various subjects, or discipline independently among the learners.
Subjects like History, Geography, Economics and Civics as well as Sociology etc provides broad and
significant information and it helps the learner to know the Social conditions. All the subjects therefore,
should be learned as a separate discipline which aim at helping the students to adjust their social
environment. By the help of Social Sciences, students should be enabled to know the process of
adjustment to the human environment both in the past and present. Social Sciences are also enable the
educated to know how people work in factories, in workshop, in farm and in many other different
organizations. Social Science is a movement to achieve the development of attitudes, ideals, skills,
interests and appreciation rather than accumulation of factual information. This subject is dynamic one
in order to adjust and cope with the constantly changing situation of the society. Therefore, it is the duty
and responsibility of the teacher to teach the pupils properly this subject. *************************
