ETYMOLOGIES OF

SOCIAL SCIENCE
DISCIPLINES AND
DEFINITIONS
 INTRODUCTION
Anthropology, Demography, Economics,
Geography, History, Linguistics, Political
Science, Psychology, and Sociology are nine
social science disciplines.
 ANTHROPOLOGY

ETYMOLOGIES DEFINITIONS
“anthopos” Scientific study of man
(human), “logos” or human being and
their societies in the past
(study of)
and present.
 DEMOGRAPHY

ETYMOLOGIES DEFINITIONS
“demos” (people), Study of human
“graphein” population and
(description) dynamics.
ECONOMICS

ETYMOLOGIES DEFINITIONS
Study of what constitutes
“oikanomia”
rational human behavior in
(household the endeavor to fulfill needs
management) and wants.
 GEOGRAPHY

ETYMOLOGIES DEFINITIONS
“geo” (earth) Deals with the study of
“graphein” the relationship between
the earth and people.
(description)
 LINGUISTICS

ETYMOLOGIES DEFINITIONS
Study of languages and
“lingua” (tongue,
focuses on the three
language)
aspects of language.
 HISTORY
ETYMOLOGIES DEFINITIONS
“histoire” (recorded and The study of the
documented events) past and it’s records
about events.
 POLITICAL
SCIENCE

ETYMOLOGIES DEFINITIONS
“politika” “polis” Deals with the system
(affairs of the city) of governance.
PSYCHOLOGY

ETYMOLOGIES DEFINITIONS
“psyche” (mind), Scientific study of
“logos” (study of) the mind and
behavior.
SOCIOLOGY

ETYMOLOGIES DEFINITIONS
Study of Groups - how they
“socius” (people
are formed, how they
together, associate),
change, and how the group
“logos” (study of) impacts behavior of
individuals.