The relationship between Sociology and Anthropology

Introduction to Sociology and Anthropology

Sociology is the youngest of the social sciences. It is also one of the fastest-growing academic disciplines. The word ‘sociology’ is derived from the Latin word – ‘socius’ (‘companion’ or ‘associate’)and the Greek word ‘logie’/ ‘logos’(‘knowledge’). The term ‘sociology’ was coined by Auguste Comte in 1838. Anthropology is derived from Greek words, ‘anthropos’ meaning ‘man’, and ‘logia’/ ‘logos’ meaning ‘study of’. It has different branches like social/ Cultural anthropology (also called socio-cultural anthropology), physical anthropology, archaeological anthropology (also called pre-historic archaeology), and linguistic anthropology. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the “word ‘anthropology’ dates back to the late 16th century”.

Differences between Sociology and Anthropology

Sociology and anthropology are closely related in many aspects. Sometimes, it is rather difficult to differentiate sociology from social anthropology in some areas of enquiry and methodology. Simultaneously, certain differences can also be observed between the two subjects in terms of the scope of study, thrust of enquiry, methodology, practice, historical root, scope of study, tradition, etc.

1. Scope of Study: Sociology focuses on studying society, while anthropology (specifically socio-cultural anthropology) studies everything related to humans, including their physical and socio-cultural aspects.
2. Historical Roots: Sociology emerged to bring social order after social transformations like the Industrial and French revolutions. Anthropology, on the other hand, developed indirectly through European scholars studying non-European societies, enabled by new intellectual and geographical opportunities.
3. Focus of Interest: Initially, sociology studied industrialized societies, particularly in the West, while anthropology focused on non-Western, pre-literate societies. However, both fields have expanded their interests over time.
4. Methodology: Sociologists often use quantitative methods like questionnaires and statistical analysis, while anthropologists traditionally use qualitative methods like participant observation, living with the people they study for an extended period.
5. Nature of Study: Sociology tends to focus on aspects of complex Western society, using concepts like culture and society. Anthropology traditionally concentrated on primitive societies and cultures, emphasizing fieldwork and the study of non-Western cultures.
6. Historical Development: Historically, anthropology stemmed more from natural science, focusing on culture and whole societies, while sociology concentrated more on aspects of Western society. However, these differences are becoming less pronounced over time.
7. Regional Variations: The distinction between sociology and anthropology can vary regionally. For example, in the UK, the distinction was based on the difference between society and culture in the metropolitan country and colonies, while in the US, it was between life in industrial cities and tribal reservations.
8. In India: The distinction between sociology and anthropology in India was acquired from the West and is based more on studying different types of villages (tribal or non-tribal) or urban areas, rather than the historical distinctions seen in Western countries.

In conclusion, while sociology and anthropology share some similarities in their methods and theoretical approaches, they differ significantly in their scope of study and focus. Sociology primarily studies modern, industrialized societies, focusing on social structures, institutions, and relationships, while anthropology studies human beings in all their diversity, including their biology, culture, and social interactions, with a particular emphasis on non-Western, pre-industrial societies. These differences reflect the historical roots and areas of specialization of each discipline, highlighting the unique contributions that sociology and anthropology make to our understanding of human societies and behavior.

Similarities between Sociology and Anthropology.

Sociology is very close to social/cultural anthropology. The relationship between the two is so close that in contemporary times the difference has become very bleak. Let us discuss some of the similarities between sociology and anthropology.

1. Close Relationship: Sociology and anthropology share a close relationship because they both study human societies and social interactions. While sociology focuses on modern, industrialized societies, anthropology often studies non-Western, pre-industrial societies. Despite these differences, both disciplines contribute to our understanding of human behavior and society.
2. Subject Matter: However, anthropology has a broader scope, including the study of physical anthropology (biological aspects of humans) and archaeology (study of human history through material remains). Sociology focuses more on social structures, institutions, and relationships within modern societies. However, both sociology and anthropology study social interrelationships and human behavior.
3. Methodology: Sociology and anthropology use similar research methods, such as qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative methods include participant observation and ethnographic research, while quantitative methods involve surveys and statistical analysis. Both disciplines use these methods to gather data and analyze social phenomena.
4. Academic Departments: In many universities, sociology and social anthropology are housed within the same department. This indicates the close relationship between the two disciplines and the recognition of their shared focus on studying human societies and social interactions.
5. Cross-Use of Concepts: Sociology and anthropology often cross-use concepts and theories in their research. This indicates a shared theoretical framework and research agenda aimed at understanding human behavior and society. By sharing concepts and theories, both disciplines strengthen their understanding of social phenomena.
6. Blurring of Boundaries: In contemporary times, the distinction between sociology and anthropology has become more blurred. Scholars recognize the close relationship between the two disciplines and the interdependence of their research. This blurring of boundaries reflects the evolving nature of both disciplines and their ongoing efforts to understand human societies.

In conclusion, sociology and anthropology share several similarities that highlight their close relationship as social science disciplines. Both fields study human societies and social interactions, although sociology focuses more on modern, industrialized societies, while anthropology often examines non-Western, pre-industrial societies. Despite these differences in focus, both disciplines use similar research methods, such as qualitative and quantitative approaches, and share a common theoretical framework aimed at understanding human behavior and society. The blurring of boundaries between sociology and anthropology in contemporary times reflects their intertwined nature and their shared goal of advancing our knowledge of human societies.