What is social science?

Social science is, in its broadest sense, the study of society and the manner in which people behave and influence the world around us.

Some social scientists argue that no single definition can cover such a broad range of academic disciplines. Instead they simply define the social sciences by listing the subjects they include.

Social science disciplines

The main social science disciplines include:

  • anthropology
  • communication
  • criminology
  • cultural studies
  • economics
  • human geography
  • linguistics
  • law
  • political science
  • psychology
  • sociology
  • development studies

Each of these social science subjects uses a range of approaches to study society, including surveys, questionnaires, interviews and statistics. Like all sciences, social sciences evolve through the interplay of the ideas and theories of academics and the evidence that supports or refutes them.

How social science shapes our lives

Social scientists influence our lives usually without us being aware they are doing so. For example:

  • the role of governments in an increasingly market-based society has been determined by famous thinkers such as John Maynard Keynes and Karl Popper
  • it was an economist who came up with the idea of the National Health Service
  • the payment of billions of pounds of state benefits for the needy has been influenced by the work of social scientists.

Social science research findings continue to provide invaluable information whether you are a parent, a local councillor, a police officer, or a business executive.

Video: What is social science? part 1

What is social science, and what is its impact on society? Viewpoints from the academic, political and media communities.




Video: What is social science? part 2




Find out more about social science research