The disciplines of applied social sciences are informed by the core values of respect for the inherent

dignity and worth of persons, pursuit of social justice, integrity of professional practice, confidentiality in
professional practice, and competence in professional practice. What we have discussed in this book are
counseling, social work, and communication. They help individuals fit well in society and challenge the
social environment to become a better place for all. These sciences cover a broad field, drawing on
different social theories and perspectives and combine theory and practice to deal with the complexity
of social issues that cover human pain, stress, threat to dignity, and threat to human rights experienced
by individuals, groups, and communities.

17.1. Functions of Applied Social SciencesApplied social sciences are the purveyors of social justice,
inclusion, and caregiving. Their presence is strongly felt in areas like children and family agencies; health
care settings, including community-based clinics and hospitals; schools; correctional facilities; settings
that serve older adults, such as nursing homes; and military veterans and active duty military personnel
agencies. Applied social sciences services are indispensable to the full transformation of a child because
they are critical to unblocking all barriers to the individual's, group's, and community's holistic
development. They help the society see beyond the behavior manifestations by looking beneath them,
and address and uproot the causes through communication and journalism, social work, and guidance
and counseling leadership.

Applied social sciences help us consider all helping situations to be multicultural in the sense that
people's uniqueness such as personal history, culture, gender, social class, religion, language, etc. of
individuals, groups, and communities has to be recognized in the helping process.

17.2. Self-development and Applied Social Sciences

The functions of applied social sciences for self-development have been discussed in this book-
counseling, social work, communication--each of which has distinct contributions in services they render
for self-development. Counseling offers guidance to individuals in varying situations of conflict,
confusion, and crisis and provides the tools for the individual to address issues of self-development.
Social work offers a wide range of services, particularly in aid of emancipating the individuals and
facilitating participation in the public goods and services that are necessary for self-development.
Communication empowers the individual with listening and speaking skills in order for them to be
effective. The individual has to be sure that the message comes across accurately by considering the
message itself, the audience or receiver, and how the message is likely to be received. Self-development
has to do with taking an active role in one's own development.

17.3. Persuasion and Applied Social Sciences

At the heart of persuasion is the ability to understand well one's audience and their complexity. In this
kind of communication, the communicator deals with people's basic attitudes, values, and beliefs on
issues and tailoring the message for the audience in order to convince them to adopt a particular point
of view through appropriate channels-TV, radio, the Internet, magazines, and newspapers. Persuasion
often consists of very few words making sure each one is very important, simple, specific, and exciting.
Other than communication and journalism skills, counseling and social work skills facilitate the ability to
empathize, listen well, and respond effectively. Drawing on the skills of applied social sciences,
persuasion energizes itself to move audiences to desired and immediate action.

17.4. Art and Entertainment and Applied Social Sciences

Art is a human creativity that involves the perceptions and imagination of an artist trying to
communicate a selective re-creation of reality and giving it form into the immediate perceptual
awareness. Art includes theater and drama, which are generally live, people-centered, and collaborative
art forms. They tell a story. Art and entertainment require active viewing, provide self-examination,
challenge audiences, and are directed at the largest possible number. Art and entertainment offer and
not necessarily require an intellectual demand on the viewer and have great potential for social change.
Through art and entertainment, we are able to see life differently, without imposing our values and
perceptions on it. It allows us to expand our experience, intensify our perceptions, challenge
conventional wisdom and norms, and introduce another frame of reference that is conceptualized by
the artist.

Art and entertainment can provide nurturance and keep communities mentally and socially healthy. Art
and entertainment such as music, dance, or theater are forms of mass communication that are useful
and educational, and uplift the inner feelings of individuals, groups, and communities. They create a
consistent atmosphere of excitement and vitality that encourages public and private investments,
impressive and successful activities, and special events and reflect shared values related to social and
cultural diversity. They raise awareness for important issues drawing on the tools of applied social
sciences particularly communication and journalism. They bring humor in depressing and stressful hence
expanding the people's ability to endure extreme forms of suffering and pessimism In moments of
hardships, the arts provide collective resilience among people.

In Philippines, noontime variety television shows have remarkably provided a comforting voice to the
people in numerous difficult times of natural or human- caused disasters, in homes and evacuation
centers. The variety shows are mainstays of the noontime slot of a network's programming in the
Philippines. In most depressing moments, people feel consoled by media entertainment shows
especially TV shows such as noontime variety shows like Eat Bulaga and Sunday PinaSaya.

The Americans in the 1930s and for example, enjoyed many forms of entertainment which were mostly
inexpensive. Movies and sounds increased in variety and in their popularity-comedies, gangster movies,
and musicals. During this period, some of the great dramas of American film reached theaters, Radio
was also wildly popular, offering many kinds of programs, from sermons to soap operas.Art and
entertainment professionals and practitioners work in cruise lines, convention services, theme parks,
concerts, film companies, TV and radio stations, music companies, theater, and numerous other live
entertainment venues. The industry requires creativity, adaptability and offers the opportunity for
travel. The art and entertainment industry offers a wide range of career opportunities from onstage to
behind the scenes, from the recording studio to convention services and multimedia companies,
functioning as performers, artists, and technicians.