The Importance of the social sciences Is based on the need to study and examine human societies and behaviors through academic disciplines that allow the analysis of interactions and cultural development in the world.
The social Sciences Provide deep insights that go beyond immediate experience and help explain the functioning of societies, causes and possible solutions to problems.
In this way, they offer vital data for governments, institutions, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and local authorities so that they can solve and understand the functioning of human society, the interpersonal relationships of individuals, their behavior or social phenomena.
As a field of study the social sciences are separated from the natural sciences and comprise areas such as political science, economy , Linguistics, semiology, demology, geography , the history , Human ecology, sociology , Archeology, psychology and anthropology.
Social science experts employ research methods and data collection to understand behavior in multiple areas such as the level of happiness Of people, unemployment, suicides, crimes, ways to economic growth, education, among others.
The disciplines of thought recognized as social sciences, although not before the nineteenth century, their basic ideas and objectives originate in the study of the ancient Greeks on the nature of humans and morality.
The legacy of Greece and Rome In these studies has been fundamental in the history of social thought.
Reasons for the importance of the social sciences
Social science is of extreme importance to the world society, social scientists are equipped with analytical and communicational skills that are of great relevance in many sectors.
There are two types of research fundamentals, methodological and conceptual. The methodological ones are based on the mechanisms for the collection of data and the conceptual ones are the references that already have been studied around the social behavior.
The involvement of social experts reaches so many areas of global importance in search of solutions that it is not possible to contemplate or delimit its horizon by its infinity of application.
Social scientists raise measures on violence, poverty, alternative energy, threats to the environment, economics, technological development, equality of classes and races, virtual security, epidemics, etc.
Some highlights of the social sciences is their work in the fight against the spread of infectious diseases like the Ebola virus.
It has also included studies to improve the defense and security of some cities in the world. Social scientists are very useful in the business world to analyze behaviors and point to effective actions.
1. Safer residential areas
According to some background, taking measures to restrict crime in one area causes offenders to move to commit their crimes by increasing crime in another area.
That is why sociologists work on security measures along with law enforcement to reduce crime by studying criminal patterns to track traces of criminal operations and groups.
Through these methods, social scientists were able to capture data and patterns that the police had not collected.
This technique is called Preventing Situational Crime, which through its application has been able to limit and identify perpetrators of theft and other crimes.
2. Projection of alternative futures
The social sciences since its development as a field of study in the nineteenth century, opened the debate for the understanding and application of measures aimed at the development and well-being of the collective future.
In this way, it was possible to analyze the needs, processes and consequences of the application of the technology of the time to predict results.
An example of this was steam power in railways and factories, which brought the world economy to a next level, sources of work and the order of daily life.
While it depends on scientists to develop the world's technological future, social scientists are also required to propose ethics, legality and society issues and thus analyze and debate what happens and must happen to shape a better future.
For example, advances in research in medicine and nanotechnology will have an impact on how to live in the coming years.
3. Contribution to human health and well-being
Social scientists work tirelessly to analyze and study health services, leisure, sport, food, old-age care policies and social assistance to make them work in the best way.
Through the interpretation of medical statistics they can define, conclude and propose systems for a series of related circumstances.
For example, with healthy food in all stages of growth and provide effective advice adapted to contexts and cultures.
4. Financial sense
Social science has also focused on economics so that it is not discriminatory or limited to specific areas.
Some social scientists such as psychologists, sociologists, political scientists as well as economists, contribute to understanding the economic crisis and what governments control by disfavouring the finances of each individual.
Without the analysis of social specialists, the personal economy would have more losses because of global economic movements.
With the compression offered by social science, each individual will be able to influence the decisions that the states make in their name.
5. Occupational safety
Some organizations analyze the labor rights of government institutions to ensure employee safety in factories and business services.
Social scientists are responsible for solving the needs for the creation of safer working environments.
Even in the most reputable companies with personnel training and safety precautions, accidents occur. It has been proven through countless actions that you can control the work of crowds of workers.
A strict safety regulation with clauses from beginning to end is not the most indicated, understanding workers in unsafe work practices as something unacceptable improves decision making and leadership in project development.
6. Education and adaptation
The social sciences help to improve the lives and education of the new generations. Societies and governments focus on wanting to demonstrate what is best for children in their education, but in most cases educational reforms do not focus on the interests of students.
Some research shows that parents are more interested in the development, adaptation and enjoyment of their children in schools than the academic achievements they can achieve.
In trying to understand the needs and perspectives of students of all ages have been able to discover new knowledge to make education and teaching staff more effective.
This is intended to break with fragmented content, lack of motivation, improve relationships between students and exercise critical pedagogy.
7. Study of social networks
Social networks are relational systems that build bridges between people, institutions, companies, the media and society; Exposing their mutual interests and their activities. They are transversal to the global social structure and directly influence the ways of socializing.
Relationships that people possess with others in their personal network, help understand the bonds that individuals have generated in various stages of life, places, influences and cultures.
With each new relationship they establish whether it is labor, academic or cultural, users are introduced to new contexts, social circles and are exposed to new information for their growth.
In interactions with others, individuals learn to situate themselves in social differences and to negotiate their place in society. This contributes to the inclusion of the person in the social environment, which allows him to create his network of contacts and interests.
Understanding and studying the use of social networks, their distribution and diversity of interconnection facilitates a clearer view of the social worlds.
References:
- Robert A. Nisbet. Social science. Source: britannica.com
- John Sides. Why Study Social Science. (2013). Source: themonkeycage.org
- Simantini Dhuru. Why Social Sciences are important. Source: teacherplus.org
- Campaign for Social Science. (2015). Taken from: campaignforsocialscience.org.uk
- The Importance of the Social Sciences. (2015). Source: studyinternational.com
- Claire Bidart. Study social networks. (2009). Source: halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr