Social anthropology also studies primitive society whereas sociology studies

modern society only. Social anthropology studies all the social, economic,
political and cultural aspects of mankind. Sociology on the other hand studies
social relations and social interactions alone. In this way the study of
sociology is more particularistic whereas that of anthropology is more
generalized. Another area where sociology and anthropology differ is that
sociology tends to be always suggestive whereas anthropology less tends to
be so.
Sociology and social anthropology also differ in the methods they apply in
the study. Social anthropologist specifically uses applied method, a classic
example for this, being participant observation. On the other hand,
sociologist to a maximum extent collects the data through survey and
statistical methods.
Sociology studies human behavior in groups. It is a science of societies.
Anthropology is a science of man and studies human behavior in social
surroundings. The subject matter of sociology and anthropology is common to
a great extent
The relation between Sociology and Anthropology is widely recognised today.
In fact, anthropologist Kroeber pointed out that the two sciences are 'twin
sisters'. Anthropology is general science like Sociology. The word
'anthropology' is derived from two Greek words 'Anthropos' meaning 'man'
and 'logos' meaning 'study'. Thus, etymological meaning of 'Anthropology' is
the study of man.
Anthropology seems to be the broadest of all the social sciences. It studies
man both as a member of the animal kingdom and as a member of society. It
studies biological as well as cultural developments of man. Sociology is
greatly benefitted by Anthropology. Sociological topics like family, marriage,
property, religion etc. can be better understood in the light of Anthropology.
Further, Sociology has borrowed many concepts like cultural area, cultural
traits, cultural lag etc. from Socio-cultural Anthropology.
Sociology and Anthropology are in their broadest sense one and the same.
Sociology borrows from Anthopology and Anthropology borrows from
Sociology. Both are so closely related that it is difficult to distinguish them
from each other. Both are fast growing. Hence, both Sociology and
Anthropology are complementary and supplementary to each other.
The relation between sociology and anthropology is widely recognized today.
In fact, anthropologist Kroeber pointed out that the two- sciences are twin
sisters. Robert Redfied writes that viewing the whole United States, one say
that the relations between sociology and anthropology are closer than those

between anthropology and political science, which is partly due to greater

similarity in ways of work.
Anthropology is a general science like sociology. 'The word anthropology' is
derived from two Greek words, 'anthropos' and 'logos' meaning the study of
man. More precisely, it is defined by Kroeber as the science of man and his
works and behavior. Anthropology is concerned not with particular man but
with man in-group with races and peoples and their happenings and doings.
There is a great deal of similarities between anthropology and sociology. A
number of subjects include society, culture, family religion, social
stratification, etc. For this reason an eminent anthropologist like A.L. Kroeber
regards "Sociology and Anthropology as twin sisters" Etymologically,
anthropology means the study of the science of man. It traces the
development of human race, and studies, in particular, the primitive
preliterate people and their culture. Anthropologists are sure that
anthropology is deeply concerned with the physical and cultural development
of human beings from the time of their origin to this day. There cannot be two
opinions about the fact that the field of its investigation is very vast. Its major
divisions are as follows.
(i) Physical Anthropology
Physical anthropology is concerned with the characteristics of human
anatomy. Their physical characteristics provide adequate knowledge about
human race and the origin of human beings.
(ii) Archaeological or Historical Anthropology
It aims at the reconstruction of the social life of pre-historic man. In other
words, pre-history deals with the cultures of the pre-historic period so that
they can understand the present social structure better.
iii) Cultural Anthropology
Cultural Anthropology, in the main is concerned with the material and nonmaterial culture of the pre-literate human beings. In other words, it
concentrates on the study of the primitive man's culture, the primitive man of
the past and of the present times,
(iv) Social Anthropology
Social Anthropology studies man as a social being. It has been rightly said
that 'social anthropology deals with the behavior of man in social situations.'

According to some scholars, 'Social anthropology and sociology are in their

broad sense, one and the same'. There are others who regard it as a branch
of sociology.
Apart from these major divisions, there are quite a few branches of
Anthropology as well. These branches can he described as human evolution
or the study of fossil man and linguistics.
Anthropology not only studies the fossil man but also investigates the
characteristics of the different culture groups and their changes through the
study of language, which the human beings of the pre-literate and historical
periods used. All this goes to show that anthropology is a very vast subject
and it is deeply concerned with the man and his culture as it developed in the
remote past. Dr. S.C. Dube does not find any difference between sociology
and anthropology. He thinks that the two disciplines are identical, but in fact,
there are some differences between the two disciplines. It is sociology, which
concerns itself with the same phenomena, as they exist at present.
Anthropology concentrates on man as he is. On the other hand, sociology
analyses man as social animal. It is an indispensable fact that sociologists in
their attempt to understand the social phenomena of present times, draw
upon the knowledge of the past. Nor can it be denied that they, in their desire
to study man and society, make the best use of the invaluable data furnished
by anthropological researches. In the same way, the data obtained by
sociologists have immediately benefited anthropologists. Thus, there is no
use of stressing on the fact that sociology and Anthropology are closely
related to each other and are inter-dependent.
Differences between Sociology and Anthropology
Not withstanding their inter-dependence the two sciences differ from each
other in many respects. The points of differences are as follows.
(1) The primitive, pre-literate people and their culture from the subject matter
of anthropology. The completely human society is the basis of its
investigation. It not only studies, the physical characteristics of the human
race but also studies the influence itself. On the other hand, sociology takes
note of the influence of the human race exerts on social relations, and it deals
with people and their culture in the present context. Nor is it all. It focuses
the attention of sociologists on some of the particular aspects of society. Thus

it is quite obvious that the subject-matter of sociology is not the concern of

anthropology. In respect of subject matter, both anthropology and sociology
differ from each other.
(2) Anthropology has for its subject matter the small and static culture of
people who belong to the pre-literate period. In sharp contrast to
anthropological concern with small and static cultures, sociology investigates
the culture of society which, to say the least is very vast and dynamic in
nature.
(3) It is really curious that sociologists can easily manage with the secondhand informations, while anthropologists cannot hut depend upon the firsthand
(4) Anthropology is concerned with the past where as sociology is concerned
with the present. The future of social institutions does not worry
anthropologists, because anthropology is not at all concerned with it but it
cannot be said about sociology, as it is deeply concerned with the future of
social institutions. Social Anthropology, which is the branch of anthropology
proper, makes on investigation of ancient human societies and pre-historic
archaeology, the other branch studies the ancient cultures. Sociology and
Anthropology alone studies the human society as it exists,
(5) Finally, Sociology and Anthropology have dissimilar methods since their
subject matter differs. It has been seen that sociologists in their study of man
and society make use of statistics, documentary evidences, etc. The
anthropologists especially social anthropologists use functional methods in
their study of the primitive man and his culture. It is not possible for an
anthropologists to complete his research project without living with those
people of a particular society whom he has chosen for his investigation. On
the whole anthropology employees the methods used by natural sciences,
while sociology uses the methods of social science.