FIND OUT MORE. Culture 296–297 • Economy 302–303 • Families 300 • Genetics 209 • The State 308–309
MARGARET MEAD
American, 1901-1978
This pioneering anthropologist
studied social behaviour,
especially rites of passage and
child-rearing, in Samoa, New
Guinea, and Bali. Her main
conclusion was that
personality was culturally and
not biologically determined.
She also analysed US society.Social scientists study how people live together in societies. Economists study
commercial activities and relate them to human behaviour. Sociologists study
the social structures of modern societies and relate them to human behaviour.
Anthropologists focus on the cultures and social structures of traditional societies.
WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGY?
Anthropology is the study of humanity. Physical
anthropologists study the evolution of the human
species, by looking at evidence from fossils and
genes. Social anthropologists study the social
behaviour of living human beings.WHY ARE THE SOCIAL SCIENCES USEFUL?
During the Industrial Revolution of the 1700s and
1800s, rapid economic growth brought huge social
change. Social sciences evolved to help explain the
effects of these changes and to collect social data.
Today, they help us to understand complex social
issues, from cultural differences to race relations.DO OUR GENES AFFECT SOCIETY?
For many years, scientists have debated about what
has more influence on society: nature or nurture,
biology or culture. Sociobiologists argue that genes,
which determine our physical characteristics, are
responsible for most human behaviour. Other scientists
argue that culture is mostly responsible.2 A GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Today, improved communications mean that very few societies are
completely isolated from others. Most people – from villagers to
city-dwellers – depend on economic and technological systems
that connect the world, creating a global community.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
1 MARKING A BOY’S PASSAGE TO MANHOOD IN SOUTH AFRICA
While each society has its own customs, many celebrate the same thing
in their own unique way. One of the most common customs is the
“coming-of-age” ritual which marks a child’s transition to adulthood.
1 ANIMAL SOCIETIES
Ants are among many animal
groups that live in societies.
Because their society’s “rules” are
encoded in the queen ant’s genes
and passed down, ant societies
cannot invent new rules.