The Three Social Sciences

Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology

Psychology

• The study of people’s feelings, thoughts, and personality development– Focuses on the individual– Goal is to discover the underlying triggers or

causes of human behaviour such as past experiences or genes.

– E.g. Why does Henry appear sad or depressed much of the time?

Branches: clinical, social, industrial, forensic, child

Sociology

• Focuses on the development and structure of human society and how it works– Looks at how people behave/act in groups– Examines social structures created by people such

as family, government, schools, justice system, prisons, army, etc.

– E.g. What kinds of groups or cliques do students form in high school?

Branches: criminology, social work, urban

Anthropology

• Examines the development of the human species and human cultures throughout the world – A human culture consists of the ways of living of a

group of people including their traditions, inventions, beliefs, values

– E.g. How is the culture of Canadians different from the culture of the Japanese? How are humans similar to chimps?

Branches: cultural, physical, medical, forensic

• These three social sciences are not conflicting disciplines

• They overlap in what they study and the methods they use– Therefore, they largely support one another• E.g. Both psychologists and sociologists study criminal

behaviour

The Montreal Massacre

• Watch the video• Read “How Do Social Scientists Study the

Human Species?” in groups of four (4)• Select one section to focus on as a group

(psychology, sociology, anthropology) and fill in the relevant section of the chart

• Discuss as a class

CBC Archives

What Would You Do?

• Now it’s time to start thinking like a social scientist!

• Watch an episode of “What Would You Do?”• Keep notes on questions that a psychologist,

sociologist, and anthropologist might ask.

What Would You Do?