What is the key difference between anthropology and sociology

Sociology and Anthropology are social science disciplines that focus on studying the behavior of humans within their societies. Students interested in researching civilizations -- past and present -- as they relate to social hierarchies should consider studying anthropology and sociology. Many institutions combine both disciplines into one department due to the similarities between the two. The key difference between the two social sciences is that sociology concentrates on society while anthropology focuses on culture.

Sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Columbia University notes that sociological thinking involves the relationships among people -- or more specifically, the associations between people and the products of human interaction such as organizations, technologies, economies, cities, culture, media and religion.

The American Anthropological Association defines anthropology as the study of humans, past and present. Anthropological viewpoints are inspired by observing cross-cultural differences in social institutions, cultural beliefs and communication styles.

Anthropologists are concerned with four concentration areas that include cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistic anthropology and biological anthropology. Anthropologists often integrate the perspectives of several of these areas into their research, teaching and professional lives. Anthropologists are interested in researching issues such as the ritual of female genital mutilation in Sudan.

The American Sociological Associations describes the work of sociologists as interesting and complex because sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from organized crime to religious traditions, from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for anthropologists should increase by 21 percent from 2010 to 2020. Due to the small number of positions expected to be available, the BLS warns that competition among applicants will be extremely stiff. Most anthropologist positions require a master's or doctoral degree. Anthropologists occupy positions in a variety of academic and nonacademic environments. Anthropologists serve as college faculty, program directors with government and nonprofit agencies or museum curators. Some anthropologists secure jobs working with police departments to assist with identifying mysterious or unknown remains. A study commissioned by The American Anthropological Association titled, "The Changing Face of Anthropology," indicated that 30 percent of the anthropology majors surveyed revealed they are working in positions that require education related to the discipline.

Employment for sociologists is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2010 to 2020. The number of available jobs will far exceed applicants. Most sociologist positions require a master's degree or Ph.D. Most sociologists work as professors, policy analysts, urban planners, program supervisors, research directors or human resources managers. The American Sociological Association has continuously reported over the last couple of years that the job market for sociologists is one the rise. At one point over the course of the last couple of years, the ASA observed a 32-percent increase in positions available in its job bank.

1. Career development
2. Anthropology vs. Sociology: Definitions and Differences

By Indeed Editorial Team

Updated March 31, 2022 | Published June 29, 2021

Updated March 31, 2022

Published June 29, 2021

Anthropology and sociology are two important fields of study that examine human societies and behaviors. Both fields help experts understand humanity and how people interact with one another historically and presently. If you're interested in studying anthropology or sociology, it may be helpful to learn about the differences between the two fields of study. In this article, we discuss the differences between anthropology and sociology, including the courses students take in each field and the career opportunities each industry offers.

What is the main difference between anthropology vs. sociology?

The largest difference between anthropology and sociology is the extent or range of study between the two fields. Anthropology often aims to study and analyze individual behaviors within a society and focuses on historical civilizations to provide perspective on common human behaviors. Sociology typically offers an assessment with increased focus on societal structures and a larger macroanalysis of systems and behaviors within a society. Sociology is also more commonly applied to current societies in order to assess and determine ways to improve behaviors.

What is anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of historical and present human behaviors. An anthropologist often searches for and analyzes evidence of the behavior of individual members of a particular community. They use the resulting information to conduct assessments and estimations of both the behaviors of an average member of a community and the behaviors within the community at large. While studying anthropology, a student may expect to take courses in four key disciplines:

• Archaeology: The study of artifacts, paintings and other creations within a community and how members of that community use them

• Biological anthropology: The study of how a community responded and adapted to environmental conditions their lifestyle and location exposed them to, such as natural disasters

• Cultural anthropology: The study of a community's culture as identified through elements such as folklore and cuisine

• Linguistic anthropology: The study of how members of a community communicated in all forms, including written, oral and nonverbal communication

Related: Anthropology: Definition, Types and How To Become an Anthropologist

What is sociology?

A sociologist uses data and analysis to conduct assessments about a society and the impact that living within that society can have on its members. Whereas an anthropologist often begins their work by studying an individual to learn about their society, a sociologist typically begins by studying a society at large. A sociology student or professional may learn about and work within certain emphasis areas, including:

• Community: The study of how groups and communities form within a society, including factors of their creation and the effects different communities within a society experience from existing societal structures

• Crime and delinquency: The study and assessment of criminal and delinquent behavior within a society, including both their prevalence and how societal factors may contribute to delinquent behavior of individuals within a society

• Marriage and family: The study of familial structures within a society, including marriage, birth rates and the different societal pressures and benefits that members of different family structures experience

• Social psychology: The study of the psychological impact of living within a society for members of different groups and demographics

Related: 8 Jobs for Sociology Majors

Differences between anthropology and sociology

Although there are similarities in the aims of these two fields and applicable skills between the two, there are also significant differences between anthropology and sociology. Learning how the two fields differ can be beneficial when choosing a potential career path. Here are some differences between anthropology and sociology:

Education

Although students in both fields are likely to take classes covering social theory and qualitative assessments of communities, there are significant differences in the two programs at most universities. An anthropologist student is likely to take classes covering languages and cultures in addition to archaeology and the study of historical civilizations. These courses provide them with a foundation to perform their jobs effectively in a professional setting.

Sociology students commonly supplement their base courses with education in various quantitative analysis subjects, such as statistics. A sociology student is also likely to take classes that educate them about cultural identities and social classes. These courses help a sociology student better understand important cultural and societal factors that impact the way they analyze data throughout their professional careers.

Related: How To Become a Sociologist

Career options

The field of education provides a potential career path for anthropologists and sociologists who continue their studies and earn an advanced degree. This provides them with an opportunity to share their advanced knowledge with other aspiring members of the field.

Graduates of both programs may also find work in the public sector, but sociologists are more likely to work in government positions. Sociologists may also seek opportunities at nonprofit organizations. In either case, using their study of societal structures allows a sociologist to guide policies or provide benefits to those who require them. Anthropologists, however, often work for private employers in research positions. An anthropologist may also work for a museum or higher education institution, providing expert advice or field research in order to improve the education provided by their institution.

Related: 11 Jobs That Use Anthropology Skills

Scope of research

Although often covering similar concepts that potentially apply to the same groups and time periods, the two fields often use separate approaches for assessing information and analyzing extrapolations.

An anthropologist's focus on individual behaviors can result in a clearer understanding of behaviors within a society or community. By placing the focus on a broader scope, a sociologist can make assessments and extrapolations related to power dynamics and other areas outside of the control or influence of any individual within a community.

Research methods

Members of both fields often use ethnography during their studies, which is a full examination of a certain society or group of people using several qualitative and quantitative methods. This allows both professionals to extract useful information and data that can help them better understand societies and people. Because anthropologists often study historical communities, qualitative data is often the only available information with which they can work.

While a sociologist also uses qualitative information, they often place a higher priority on quantitative data to conduct assessments. Quantitative data allows sociologists to perform complex comparisons and mathematical calculations on a data set during their analyses.