Chapter # 1 – Introduction to Social Studies
1.1.2 Differentiate between Social and Natural Sciences.
Social Sciences
Social science is a field of study that focuses on understanding human behavior and society. It includes disciplines such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, political science, geography, and history. Social scientists use various methods, including observation, experimentation, and statistical analysis, to study social phenomena, patterns, and interactions. The goal of social science is to gain insights into how societies function, develop, and change over time, as well as to address social issues and improve the quality of life for individuals and communities.
In simple words, social science is a branch of science that studies human society and behavior, including disciplines such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, political science, geography, and history.
Natural sciences
Natural sciences refer to the branches of science that study the physical world and its phenomena, including the laws and processes that govern the universe. These disciplines are based on empirical evidence and aim to understand the natural world through observation, experimentation, and measurement. Examples of natural sciences include physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and earth sciences. Natural scientists seek to uncover the fundamental principles underlying natural phenomena and to explain how they occur. They often use the scientific method to formulate hypotheses, conduct experiments, and analyze data in order to expand our knowledge and understanding of the natural world.
In simple words, natural sciences are branches of science that study the physical world, including physics, chemistry, biology, and earth sciences, using observation, experimentation, and measurement to understand natural phenomena.
Differentiate between social and natural sciences.
| Aspect | Social Sciences | Natural Sciences |
| What They Study | People, societies, cultures, and behavior | Nature, physical world, and natural phenomena |
| Examples | History, geography, psychology, sociology | Biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy |
| How They Study | Talking to people, observing societies | Doing experiments, observing nature |
| Why They Study | To understand how people live together | To understand how the world works |
| Key Tools | Interviews, surveys, maps, timelines | Microscopes, telescopes, lab experiments |
or
| Aspect | Social Sciences | Natural Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Studies how people live and interact | Studies the natural world and its laws |
| Subjects | Includes history, geography, psychology, sociology, and more | Includes subjects like biology, physics, chemistry, and earth science |
| Methods | Uses surveys, interviews, observations, and sometimes experiments | Uses experiments, observations, and measurements |
| Subjectivity | Data interpretation can be subjective due to human behavior | Strives for objectivity and facts |
| Predictions | Predictions may be less precise due to human influences | Predictions are often more precise and reliable |
| Applications | Helps understand societies, address social issues, and make policies | Applied in medicine, technology, and understanding natural phenomena |