The scientific study of human society and social relationships.
What is Social science
The study of the human species and its origins and the development of its language and culture, examines past and present culture and affects on society.
Anthropology
The study of society and human interactions, scientific study of the structure of society and how it works.
Sociology
The study of the human mind, behavior, emotions, cognitive process and personality.
Psychology
Groups of different heritage being absorbed into the dominant culture is called:
Assimilation
When a minority group in society adopts the main culture's way of life but still retains cultural aspects such as food, customs, language, etc.
Acculturation
Is the spread of cultural influences between groups and individuals. Can occur with things like language, food, clothing, religion, technology of philosophies
Diffusion
Belief that all cultures are of equal value.
Multiculturalism
Is a school of thought from anthropology that states that it is natural for others to view or study different cultures through the lens of their own.
Cultural relativism
participant observation, surveys, interviews, experiments, case studies, focus groups
methods of study
categorical data which is interpretational
qualitative
numerical data which is statistical
quantitative
holistic study of a culture, which uses a combination of methods including participant observation
ethnography
a variant of field research that attempts to observe a targeted person or group in their environment to gain insights into behavior, activities and processes
field observation
economic power and material wealth create a state of natural competition between social classes, causing perpetual social and economic change (Karl Marx)
conflict theory (Marxism)
idea that learning alters an individual's perception of the world and can lead to permanent behavioral changes
learning theory
the state of uncomfortable psychological tension caused by inconsistency in beliefs and attitudes (hypocrisy)
cognitive dissonance
a major change in how people think and get things done that upends and replaces a prior paradigm
paradigm shift
the belief that one's own culture or group is superior to others and the tendency to view all other cultures from the perspective of one's own
ethnocentrism