Anthropology vs. Sociology
What is the difference between Anthropology and Sociology?
The study of the human being can be a study of a lifetime.
Trying to understand human behavior has been a task that has occupied many of the great thinkers of our race for thousands of years.
The disciplined study of the human race has taken place since the Renaissance.
Today there are many fields and subfields of study.
While humanity is the subject of study in all these fields, the philosophical approach varies from discipline to discipline.
It may not be apparent at first, but there are many differences between anthropology and sociology.
Difference between Anthropology and Sociology
Definition of Anthropology and Sociology
Anthropology is the social science that is concerned with human culture as well as the physical and social characteristics that culture creates.
He often compares one group of humans against another or even compares humans to animals.
Sociology is the social science that studies the functionality of human society including its origins, development, and organization.
It also studies these attributes within institutions and organizations.
History of Anthropology and Sociology
Anthropology: Human beings have observed and recorded the behavior of others since the beginning of civilization.
Herodotus and Tacitus are credited with being the first anthropologists.
However, it was not until the end of the 18th century that the coded study of other cultures began.
Traditionally, anthropologists have studied Westerners in their culture and technological advances.
In some cases, the study of anthropology led to racist theories about the general progress of different groups.
Sociology has also been practiced since the Greek period as the study of the surrounding society.
However, it was not until the late nineteenth century that sociology was recognized as an academic discipline and became part of the university curriculum.
Approach to Anthropology and Sociology
Anthropology has a linkage to the general culture of a group of people.
Anthropologists study societies around the world.
This includes social institutions, art, history, mythology, among others.
It also includes archeology, because a large amount of substantial speculation is believed to be a much milder science than sociology.
In Summary:
- Anthropology and sociology are fields of social science that study the behavior of human beings within their societies.
- Traditionally, anthropologists deal with the study of cultures different from that of the same, especially with those less advanced.
- While sociology is all about understanding the society itself.
- Today anthropologists tend to see the full picture of human culture while sociology spends more time analyzing data from a specific study.
- Anthropology is a less harsh science than sociology; it is based more on its conclusions of case studies than on other information.
Comparison Table Anthropology Vs Sociology
| Anthropology | Sociology |
| Prioritize on culture and its social characteristics. | Prioritize on society origins and development |
| EG. relationships (kinship) language, religion, gender, art) | Eg. structures, social class, institutions, social movements |
| Non-Western cultures | Industrialized Western societies |
| Focus on Micro-level (Small Aspects) | Focus on Macro level (BroadAspects) |
| Incorporates material/physical culture (archaeology, biophysical evidence) | Incorporates economics and statistics to a larger degree |
| Rely on qualitative data for a conclusion. | Rely on quantitative data for a conclusion |
| It is actually Natural Science | It is actually Social Science |
| Used to understand different cultures | Used to solve basic social problems |
