social science
B2Formal/Academic
Definition
Meaning
The academic study of human society and social relationships.
A broad field of scientific disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, and political science, that examine the functioning, development, and structure of societies and the relationships among individuals within them.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is often used in the plural ('social sciences') to refer collectively to the constituent disciplines. In the singular, it can refer to the general field or a specific branch (e.g., economics is a social science). It is distinct from 'natural sciences' (e.g., physics, biology) and the humanities (e.g., history, philosophy), though there is interdisciplinary overlap.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling of related terms may differ (e.g., 'behavioural science' in BrE vs. 'behavioral science' in AmE).
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. The term carries the same academic weight.
Frequency
Equally common in academic and educational contexts in both the UK and the US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
degree in [social science]research on [social science] topicsdepartment of [social science]application of [social science] methodsthe field of [social science]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts like 'social science research informs our market analysis of consumer behaviour.'
Academic
Very common. Core term for faculties, courses, journals, and research. E.g., 'The findings were published in a leading social science journal.'
Everyday
Common in educational contexts (choosing university subjects) and general discussions about academia. E.g., 'My daughter wants to study a social science.'
Technical
Used precisely to denote specific methodologies (e.g., quantitative social science) or to contrast with other scientific paradigms.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- A social-science approach was used.
- The social science perspective is crucial.
American English
- A social science approach was used.
- The social science perspective is crucial.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In school, we learn about history and social science.
- Geography is a social science.
- Psychology is one of the most popular social sciences.
- He decided to study social science at university.
- The research employs robust social science methodologies to analyse voting patterns.
- A degree in the social sciences can lead to careers in policy, education, or marketing.
- Interdisciplinary dialogue between the social sciences and the humanities has yielded profound insights into cultural change.
- Critics argue that some social science research lacks the empirical rigour of the natural sciences.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SCIENTIST at a SOCIAL event, studying how people interact. SCIENCE of the SOCIAL world.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A LABORATORY / HUMAN BEHAVIOUR IS A SYSTEM TO BE DECODED
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid calquing as 'социальная наука' in singular for the general field; the standard term is 'общественные науки' (plural).
- Do not confuse with 'социология' (sociology), which is only one specific social science.
- The English term is broader than 'гуманитарные науки' (humanities), which typically exclude economics and political science.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an uncountable noun when referring to a specific discipline: 'She studies social science' (acceptable but vague) vs. 'She studies a social science' or 'She studies the social sciences' (more precise).
- Confusing 'social science' with 'social studies', the latter being a school subject at primary/secondary level.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is typically NOT considered a core social science discipline?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. The singular 'social science' refers to the general field or a specific branch (e.g., 'Politics is a social science'). The plural 'social sciences' is more common when referring to the collection of individual disciplines (e.g., 'the faculty of social sciences').
Social sciences (e.g., sociology, economics) primarily use scientific methods to study human behaviour and society in an empirical, often quantitative way. Humanities (e.g., history, philosophy, literature) focus more on interpretation, critical analysis, and understanding human culture and experience through qualitative methods.
Yes, but it is often hyphenated when used attributively before a noun, especially in British English (e.g., 'social-science research'). In American English, it is commonly left open ('social science research').
The term 'soft science' is an informal, sometimes pejorative, label contrasting them with 'hard sciences' like physics or chemistry. It implies their subject matter (human behaviour) is less predictable, their variables harder to isolate, and their findings less definitive or law-like. Many social scientists reject this dichotomy as oversimplified.