What is the Difference Between Sociology and Social Science?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between sociology and social science is that sociology is a specific sub-discipline within the broader field of social science. Both fields are dedicated to the study of human beings and their interactions with the world, but they have different focuses and methods. Here are the key differences:
- Scope: Social science is a broad subject area that consists of many sub-fields, such as history studies, political science, and law studies. Sociology, on the other hand, mainly focuses on human behavior and the features of a social structure.
- Discipline: Sociology is one of the major sub-branches of social science. Social science is a scientific study field, whereas sociology is the academic study of social behavior and social structure, focusing on areas like origin, development, structures, and more.
- Study Focus: Social science deals with various aspects of society, as there are many sub-branches for different disciplines. Sociology, however, specifically focuses on the society, how it has developed, how it is arranged, and how it functions.
- Coursework: Sociology degrees often include courses in sociological methods, statistics, deviant behavior, anthropology, and psychology. Social sciences degrees, on the other hand, are interdisciplinary programs that provide a broad-based knowledge of the social sciences more generally, allowing students to choose a concentration or design their course of study in consultation with their academic adviser.
In summary, sociology is a specific sub-field within the broader field of social science, focusing on the study of society and human behavior within it. Social science encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, history studies, political science, and more, with the goal of understanding human behavior and interactions with the world.
Comparative Table: Sociology vs Social Science
Sociology and social science are related but distinct fields. Sociology is one of the social sciences, which also include disciplines such as anthropology, economics, political science, and psychology. Here is a table highlighting the differences between sociology and social science:
| Sociology | Social Science |
|---|---|
| Focuses on the study of human society, social groups, and social institutions | A collection of disciplines concerned with how individuals and groups relate to the world and to each other |
| Involves the application of scientific methods to study human aspects of society | Encompasses various fields that use scientific methods to study human behavior and social phenomena |
| Examines human interaction, inter-relations, their conditions, and consequences | Studies a wide range of social, economic, and political issues, as well as individual and collective human behavior |
| More specific and focused on society and social groups | Broader in scope, covering diverse fields such as anthropology, economics, political science, and psychology |
In summary, sociology is a specific social science that focuses on the study of society, social groups, and social institutions. Social science, on the other hand, is a broader field that encompasses various disciplines, including sociology, which use scientific methods to study human behavior and social phenomena.
- Science vs Social Sciences
- Social Science vs Social Studies
- Sociology vs Psychology
- Behavioral Science vs Social Science
- Social Psychology vs Sociology
- Humanities vs Social Sciences
- Social Science vs Natural Science
- Anthropology vs Sociology
- Social Research vs Scientific Research
- Psychology vs Social Psychology
- Social vs Societal
- Political Science vs Politics
- Social Studies vs History
- Social Service vs Social Work
- Social vs Cultural Anthropology
- Educational Sociology vs Sociology of Education
- Cultural vs Social
- Philosophy vs Science
- Science vs Applied Science