Social anthropology is the scientific study of human societies and cultures. It seeks to understand how people live in groups and find meaning in their lives. There are four main branches of anthropology: archaeology, linguistic anthropology, physical anthropology, and sociocultural anthropology. The five basic social institutions that help societies survive are government, religion, education, economy, and family. Social anthropologists study these institutions and how they organize and influence human behavior and culture.

1. Social Anthropology
PAVITHRA NARASIMHAN

2. Social Anthropology
Anthropology is the scientific study of humanity, concerned with human
behavior, human biology, cultures and societies, in both the present and past,
including past human species.
Social anthropology studies patterns of behaviour, while
cultural anthropology studies cultural meaning, including norms and values.
Franz Boas is regarded as both the “father of modern anthropology” and the
“father of American anthropology.” He was the first to apply the scientific
method to anthropology, emphasizing a research- first method of generating
theories

3. Social Anthropology
the comparative study of the ways in which people live in different
social and cultural settings across the globe
Social anthropology is the study of all peoples everywhere – what they
make, what they do, what they think and how they organise their social
relationships and societies.
Social anthropologists usually report their research in the form of
'ethnographies', which are detailed descriptions of the society in question

4. Social anthropology is the study of human society and cultures.
Social anthropologists seek to understand how people live in societies and how they make their lives
meaningful. Anthropologists are concerned with such questions as:
•how societies are organised;
•the relationship between values and behaviour;
•why people do what they do.

5. Branches
archaeology,
linguistic anthropology,
physical anthropology, and
sociocultural anthropology

6. Banches/Sub-fields
Archaeology
Pre-historical evolutions
Classics, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, History of Art, Trade,Economy.
Biological Anthropology
evolution of humans and other primates, including the study of morphology, ecology and
behavior

7. Branches/Sub-fields
Linguistic anthropology
The relevance of language and linguistics to sociocultural description; the ethnographic
study of conversation, literacy, gender, and affect; ethnoscience.

8. Differences Between Anthropology and Sociology
The specialization of anthropology is sociocultural, linguistic, biological and
archaeological.
On the other hand, sociology studies the development, structure, social interactions
and behaviors of human society at a specific time.

9. A social institution is an important human organization in a culture group that helps a
society to survive.Sociologists have identified government, religion, education , economy
and family as the five basic social institutions that are necessary for a society to survive

10. Government is the political organization of a society
The purpose of government is to keep order and make group decisions.
The government keeps order by:Providing law enforcement at various levels
Defends us from enemies through the armed services
Provides social services like Social Security
Medicare Protects the rights of the population

11. Economy
The economy of a culture represents the way that resources are used to meet human needs and wants
An economy is necessary because it allows people to make a living and determines how to acquire and
distribute goods and services

12. Economic Models:
Capitalism
Laissez-faire capitalism
Socialism

13. Religion
Can include ideas about magic, superstition and an explanation about how the universe came about
Religion is necessary to determine group values; to have a common belief system
Although societies has many religions, they serve similar functions.
Denominations/Sects /
Religion teaches a moral code that is generally reflective of the society

14. Functions of Religion
Social solidarity (cohesion)
Meaning of existence
Social control
Moral & ethical code of behavior
Emotional support
Concerns of life/death
Helps individuals:Adjust to social problems

15. Education
Education is the institution that passes on essential cultural knowledge to members of a society
Education is necessary to pass information and knowledge of the culture from one generation to the other
Education Instills knowledge about the world
Provides skills to become competent in the world of work
Teaches the values of the way of life
Offers opportunities for intellectual, social and emotional growth

16. Family
Family is necessary to care for the young, to provide a kinship system for social organization
The family is the basic unit of society. As such, it cares for the young physically, emotionally, socially and
intellectually.
It provides the basic living arrangements;
it structures the kinship system;
it furnishes companionship and emotional and social support for its members.

17. Family Structure
Authority Patterns:
Patriarchy-Male /Matriarchy-Female
Egalitarian - Shared authority
Descent Patterns:
Patrilineal system-Descent traced on father’s side
Matrilineal system-Descent traced on mother’s side