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Home / IAS Preparation / Similarities & Relationship Between Sociology & Anthropology

Difference Between Sociology and Anthropology - UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Jan 08, 2025
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Sociology and Anthropology are two interesting subjects that help us learn more about human societies and cultures. They both focus on human behavior, traditions, and institutions, but they approach these topics differently. It is sine qua non to dive deep into the relationship between sociology and anthropology. Apart from that it is also important to know the similarities, their history to understand what makes them unique.

Topics for Prelims

Indian Society, Art and Culture, Salient Features of Indian Society, 

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Social Issues, Society, Culture

What is Anthropology?

Anthropology is all about studying human societies, cultures, and how they have changed over time. Anthropologists look at things like language, social structures, beliefs, and customs to understand how people lived in the past and how they live now. They use different methods, like going to places and talking to people, to learn more about human life.

Know more about the relationship of sociology with other social sciences!

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What is Sociology?

Sociology delves into the intricate web of human interactions. It explores how individuals, groups, and societies function and evolve. It looks into the forces shaping culture, behaviors, and power dynamics. It unveils the hidden patterns that influence everything from family dynamics to global social movements. It's the science of understanding "the we" in "me." It is the glue that binds societies and the engine that drives social change.

Know more about the scope of sociology!

Relationship Between Sociology and Anthropology

Sociology and anthropology are like good friends who share some interests but also have their own hobbies. They may look at similar things, but they have different ways of doing it.

  • Similar Research Topics: Sometimes, sociology and anthropology study the same things, like family structures, education, and social rules. But they might look at these topics from different angles.
  • How They Do Research: Both fields use fieldwork, but sociologists might do surveys and experiments, while anthropologists live with the communities they study.
  • What They Study: Sociology mainly looks at modern societies and the problems they face. Anthropology explores both modern and ancient societies to understand how cultures change over time.
  • Big Vs. Small: Sociology often looks at big social structures and institutions, while anthropology focuses more on the small interactions between people and their cultures.
  • Different Theories: Sociologists have their own ideas about how societies work, like functionalism or conflict theory. Anthropologists have different approaches, like cultural anthropology or archaeology.
  • Where They Study: Anthropologists study cultures all over the world, while sociologists might concentrate on specific regions or countries.

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Similarities Between Sociology and Anthropology

These are the following similarities between Sociology and Anthropology:

  • Studying Human Behavior: Both sociology and anthropology focus on human behavior and how people interact with each other. They want to know how societies shape individuals and how individuals shape societies.
  • Doing Fieldwork: In both fields, researchers do fieldwork to learn about people and cultures. Anthropologists might live with communities they study, while sociologists might use surveys and interviews to gather information.
  • Seeing the Whole Picture: Both disciplines take a big-picture approach. Instead of studying one thing in isolation, they look at how different aspects of a society or culture connect and influence each other.
  • Working with Other Subjects: Sociology and anthropology are not just on their own; they work together with other subjects like history, psychology, economics, and geography to understand human life better.
  • Cultural Respect: Both fields believe in cultural respect, which means understanding and respecting different cultures without judging them based on our own beliefs.

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Differences Between Sociology and Anthropology

The table below gives the major differences between Sociology and Anthropology:

Sociology

Anthropology

Studies human behavior in social groups and societies.

Studies human behavior in the context of culture and evolution.

Focuses on social structures, institutions, and relationships.

Focuses on cultural practices, beliefs, and diversity.

Examines social processes such as socialization, social change, and social inequality.

Examines cultural processes such as language, kinship, and rituals.

Uses quantitative and qualitative methods to gather data and analyze social phenomena.

Uses ethnographic research and participant observation to understand cultural practices and beliefs.

Explores social issues such as class, race, gender, and power dynamics.

Explores cultural diversity, cultural relativism, and the impact of globalization on cultures.

Applies sociological theories and concepts to understand social phenomena.

Applies anthropological theories and concepts to understand cultural practices and human behavior.

Study the Article Socio-Cultural Anthropology for UPSC Exam.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sociology and anthropology are like two pieces of a puzzle. They help us understand human societies and cultures from different angles. Sociology looks at big social structures and modern issues, while anthropology explores cultures from the past and present using immersive fieldwork. Together, they give us a fuller understanding of the amazing diversity and complexity of human life.

Key Takeaway for UPSC Aspirants

  • Ethnography: This is a key method in cultural anthropology which involves long-term fieldwork.
  • Methods: Excavations, Surveys, Lab based Researches, Interviews are some of the popular methods used by Anthropologists.
  • Émile Durkheim: A renowned sociologist who developed theories on social integration and the importance of social facts.
  • Sociological Perspective: The sociological perspective is a concept that focuses on looking at society in a systematic and scientific way to know how social forces influence behavior of an individual.
  • Structural Functionalism: It views society as a system of interrelated parts whose main task is to work together so that stability and order can be maintained.

We hope your doubts regarding the topic have been addressed after going through the above article. Testbook offers good quality preparation material for different competitive examinations. Succeed in your UPSC IAS exam preparations by downloading the Testbook App here!

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Relationship Between Sociology and Anthropology UPSC FAQs

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as superior to others and to judge other cultures by the standards of one’s own.

It is a theory that focuses on the role of power and inequality in any society. This theory on society emphasizes on the notion that social structures create conflicts between different groups.

Key Figures like Karl Marx, Max Weber influenced Conflict theory.

Socialization is the process through which an individual learns different sets of behavior, norms and values which are necessary to function in society.

Norms are the social rules that dictate behaviors which are expected and accepted in various situations.
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