Studies carried out in community life are basically more specific to social sciences. This is because social science studies humans and the impacts resulting from their various activities. One of the studies in the social sciences is the discipline of sociology and anthropology.
For this reason, this article will provide an explanation of the similarities and differences between sociology and anthropology. However, what is certain is that the object of study in sociology and anthropology is studying society and human behavior, but both have slightly different approaches and focuses.
Sociology and Anthropology
The figures who gave birth to these two sciences tend to be the same. For example, Karl Mark or Aristotle as experts in philosophy (philosophers). Likewise, the objects of study in sociology and anthropology are close, both in social research methods and in the social research instruments they carry out.
On the other hand, these two scientific disciplines complement each other and have unique perspectives in understanding society and human behavior.
Where the meaning of sociology focuses more on the analysis of social structure and social interaction in society, whereas anthropological studies emphasize understanding of cultural diversity and human differences in various social and geographical contexts.
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1. Sociology
The definition of sociology is a type of scientific discipline that does not attempt to provide solutions to social problems, which is often known as value-free theory.
According to Lincoln and Guba, this value-free theory has long been abandoned by people. For this reason, in its journey, sociology chose to provide free values and morals , which then on this basis, sociology became an applied social science.
2. Anthropology
Anthropology is a social science that conducts social research on humans and culture. Humans and culture are elements that cannot be separated, which is why ethnicity is the focal point or object of study carried out in anthropology.
Similarities between Sociology and Anthropology
The similarities that exist in sociological and anthropological studies include;
Sociology
That is;
- Sociology is the science of society
- Tends to study heterogeneous societies
- Most study urban communities
- Sociology uses a deduction methodology, this method is a method of thinking that emphasizes building theories and concepts which are then sought after in the field of research.
- The great influence of positivism is adopting the view of natural science ( exact) to sociology.
Anthropological Science
Among others;
- Science that studies humans and culture.
- The initial trend was to study ethnic groups
- The tendency to study simple and ‘primitive’ societies
- Examining homogeneous societies
- Viewing society and culture is holistic
- Anthropology uses induction methodology
- Anthropology has a major influence on humanities views. The humanities and induction views are the view that the concept of ‘understanding’ the research field comes first and then builds theory.
- The results of anthropological research are mostly called ethnography.
Differences between Sociology and Anthropology
The difference between Sociology and Anthropology is that it carries out a study of society, this is because society and culture cannot be separated, so sociology cannot escape from the analysis of the nature of culture.
Culture and society are always changing, therefore sociology and anthropology also change their focus and methodology according to changes in society and culture. As a result of this condition, the focus of anthropological and sociological studies is difficult, if not impossible, to separate and differentiate in current developments.
However, the significant differences between these two sciences are of course currently only in the range of methodology, namely sociology places more emphasis on quantitative methodological thinking and anthropology places more emphasis on qualitative research.
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Example of a Study of the Relationship between Sociology and Anthropology
Examples used in providing studies in sociology and anthropology include;
1. Majapahit kingdom
There are examples of social research on the history of Majapahit as a large kingdom that succeeded in uniting the archipelago. Majapahit’s work on relations within its society was carried out using sociological studies.
Meanwhile, culture is carried out through studies in anthropology. The development of perfection in this research also uses a two-research approach, inductive and deductive. As background and also the theory used.
Conclusion
From the explanation presented, a simple summary of the explanation regarding the similarities and differences between sociology and anthropology as social sciences that conduct studies in social life.
Although there are a number of differences in approach and focus, both sociology and anthropology seek to understand the complexity of humans and society to provide a better insight into human life in various social contexts and cultural elements .
This is an article about the similarities and differences between sociology and anthropology . Hopefully this article can provide insight and also provide knowledge for all readers who need reference.