Difference Between Sociology and Anthropology(With Table)

Sociology is concerned with the development of society and social institutions. It encompasses the study of human society, the nature and causes of human social behavior, the organization and functions of society, and the distribution, and patterns of social interaction. Anthropology is a diverse field that bridges both biology and culture through a range of research methods such as ethnography, linguistics, archeology, and statistical analysis.

You Can Also Read: Difference Between Social Science and Humanities

What is Sociology?

Sociology is the study of human social behavior, including its origins, development, organization, and institutions. It encompasses a wide range of topics, from family relations and intimate partnerships to crime and deviance, from education and religion to economic growth and political change. 

Sociologists use both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze data collected from various sources, such as surveys, interviews, observations, historical documents, and official records.

Moreover, sociology is concerned with the macro-level analysis of social phenomena, including social structure and social change. It also focuses on the micro-level analysis of individual behavior and interactions. The ultimate goal of sociology is to explain how human societies function and how they change over time.

What is Anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of human cultures across space and time. It encompasses a wide range of topics, from the origins of language and culture to contemporary issues such as globalization and multiculturalism. A person who studies anthropology is referred to as an anthropologist. 

Anthropologists use qualitative methods to collect data from various sources, such as archaeological excavations, ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, observations, and historical documents.

In a nutshell, Anthropology is the study of humans and their ancestors throughout history in terms of physical characteristics, environmental and social relationships, and culture. It is also known as the scientific and humanistic study of the human species and its different variations.

Types Of Anthropology

Anthropology has four main subfields: biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, cultural anthropology, and archaeology. 

• Biological Anthropologists – They study human evolution and the genetic basis for human behavior. 

• Linguistic Anthropologists – It focuses on the study of language, how it is used in different cultures, and how it changes over time. 

• Cultural Anthropologists – It examines patterns of human behavior, including issues of religion, gender, marriage, and childrearing. 

• Archaeology – It is a subfield of anthropology that focuses on the interpretation of artifacts, architecture, biofacts, and landscapes. Archaeologists use various methods to excavate and analyze data, such as radiocarbon dating, DNA analysis, and computer modeling.

Sociology Vs Anthropology(Comparison Table)

Key Differences Between Sociology and Anthropology

While comparing Sociology and Anthropology, here we have mentioned some of the key differences between sociology and anthropology.

• Anthropology is a social science that analyses human beings in terms of their origin, development, and behavior. On the other hand, Sociology is a social science that investigates society, its structure, relationships, interactions, and other aspects of daily life. 

• Anthropology is the study of human beings and their societies in the past and present, while sociology is the study of human social behavior.

• Anthropology focuses on culture, while sociology focuses on social institutions.

• While Anthropology studies human evolution and how different cultures have developed over time, sociology studies modern social trends and patterns.

• Anthropology is more concerned with qualitative data, while sociology relies more on quantitative data.

• Anthropologists typically conduct fieldwork to observe people in their natural environment. On the other hand, sociologists usually collect data through surveys and interviews.

• Because anthropology deals with such a wide range of topics, it can be difficult to narrow it down to a specific focus, whereas sociology generally has a more specific focus.

Key Takeaway(s)

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can say that sociology and anthropology are two distinct but related fields of study. Both disciplines seek to understand human behavior and social interaction, but they take different approaches to doing so. Sociology focuses on the study of large-scale societal patterns. On the other hand, anthropology takes a more holistic approach that looks at individuals within their cultural context.