Sociology’s Scope and Its Relationship with Other Social Sciences

Thus the scope of Sociology is huge, complex and varied; and the knowledge produced by the sociological research is still imperfect in many ways. Yet, in the brief century and a half that the discipline has been in existence, it has taught us to conceive of human beings and social life in an entirely new way.

Sociology and other Social Sciences

Sociology has a broad perspective. It embraces every social setting. Human behavior cannot be divided neatly into different compartments and each assigned to a specific social science. Virtually, the boundaries between the social sciences are vague and constantly shifting. Almost all the social sciences get outside their ‘own’ and into ‘somebody else’s’ with great frequency.

• Anthropology: It is Sociology’s sister discipline. Anthropology is a study of the biological and socio-cultural aspects of human beings.

Similarities

• Most similar in subject matter: The distinction of anthropology and sociology as study of early / primitive cultures and contemporary society seem to be no longer valid. Culture and social organizations are concepts studied in both sociology and social anthropology.
• Both use research methods such as observation, field work etc.

Differences

• Anthropology studies simple cultures (small & static) while sociology focuses on complex cultures (vast & dynamic).
• Sociology is concerned with both social philosophy and social planning whereas anthropology is not concerned with social planning.

• Economics: It studies production, distribution and exchange and consumption of goods and services in society.

Similarities

• Many of the problems are common such as population growth, slum clearance, family welfare and urbanization.
• The theories of social of socialism, communism, democracy and welfare state are nothing but the theories of social reorganization.
• Both study industry

Differences

• Sociologists look at the social aspects of economy while economist is mainly concerned with the economic consequences of people’s actions.
• Sociology is not as quantitative as is economics.
• The sociological approach is inductive while economist approach is deductive.
• Sociology is a science of only recent growth whereas economy has attained an adequate degree of maturity.

• History: It is a study of the past, which people have already lived.

Similarities

• Both study society.
• Both are concerned with human activities and events.

Differences

• History is concrete but Sociology is abstract.
• History is concerned with the past while society is mainly concerned with present day societies.
• Sociology is an observational, cooperative and generalizing science. History bases itself on an analysis of documents.

• Political science: It is the systematic study of the state and other organs of power.

Similarities

Both study such same topics such as power, voting, political groups etc.

Differences

• Political science is mainly concerned with political institutions. Sociology does not give primacy to any institution. For it, all institutions are equally important.
• Political science deals with organized community only while sociology studies both organized and unorganized communities.

• Psychology: It is the study of mental processes, experiences and behavior.

Similarities

• Both the disciplines almost have the same subject matter, e.g. socialization, norms and values.
• In actual practice of studies such as public opinion, mass movement etc. it is difficult to differentiate the work of sociologists and psychologists.

Differences

• Sociology focuses on group while psychology gives emphasis on individual behavior alone.
• Though sociology also adopts the method of experimentation, yet it is not so commonly used in sociology as in psychology.

Despite this two-way relationship with other social sciences, sociology has its distinctive nature and scope.