Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology

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Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and
Sociology
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• Social Sciences aim for a rational and systematic
  understanding of human society.
• They are concerned with the origin and
  development of human society, and the
  institutions, relationships, and ideas involved
  in social life.
• Including
• anthropology psychology
• sociology economics
• political science law
• criminology

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Anthropology A Definition

• Anthropology is the scientific study of all
  aspects of human life and culture.
• Anthropology examines such topics as how people
  live, what they think, what they produce, and how
  they interact with their environments.
• Anthropologists try to understand the full range
  of human diversity as well as what all people
  share in common.
• Anthropology is based on three key concepts
  society, culture, and evolution.

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Psychology A Definition

• Psychology is the scientific study of individual
  behaviour and the mind.
• psychology is a scientific enterprise that
  obtains knowledge through systematic and
  objective methods of observation and
  experimentation.
• psychologists study behaviour, which refers to
  any action or reaction that can be measured or
  observedsuch as the blink of an eye, an increase
  in heart rate, or the unruly violence that often
  erupts in a mob.
• psychologists study the mind, which refers to
  both conscious and unconscious mental states.
  These states cannot actually be seen, only
  inferred from observable behavior.

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Sociology A Definition

• Sociology is the scientific study of group
  behaviour or human social relations.
• Sociologists examine the ways in social
  structures and institutions - family class
  community power - and social problems - such as
  crime and abuse - influence society.
• The field focuses on how and why people are
  organized in society, either as individuals or as
  members of associations, groups, and institutions.

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In groups of 3 or 4 (as assigned), complete the
following task from the perspective of a
psychologist, sociologist and anthropologist Grou
p 1 Explain why a group of thugs would engage
in an attack on people at a gay bar. Group
2 Explain why Canadian peacekeepers put their
lives on the line in a foreign country. Group
3 Explain why soccer fans riot at a game in
Italy. Group 4 Explain why a pig farmer in
B.C. would kill dozens of prostitutes. Group
5 Explain why corporate executives would
knowingly engage in polluting the
environment. Group 6 Explain why a public health
inspector would volunteer to help clean up the
bodies after the tsunami in Indonesia. Group
7 Explain why a citizen of Germany would
participate in the Holocaust.
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Homework 1. Read page 7 to 9 in order to Do
Question 3 p. 9 2. Read p. 10 to 14 in order to
Do Questions 1 - 3 p. 14 3. Review your notes in
order to Complete Question 11 p. 16