How does the sociology differ from anthropology?

Relation between sociology and Anthropology:

Anthropology and sociology both deal with society but the only difference is that social anthropology mainly considers small groups and their culture but their area of study is basically the same. Actually both are same ,two names for the same field enquiry.. The study of ancient and simple societies are done by Anthropology ,while on the basis of that ,sociology studies the wider and complex societies. Anthropology has been divided in to three parts.A-Physical Anthropology ,which deals with physical/bodily traits/features of early man and our primitive centuries back counterparts. with the help of that sociology try to know the reality of struggles among various groups.

B-Cultural Anthropology which investigates the cultural remains of early man an of the living cultures of some of the primitive counterparts. With the help of this sociology studies cultural heritage and tries to understand the changes occurred by it. C-Social Anthropology deals with the institutions, behaviors and human relationships of primitives of the past and present. sociology also does scientific studies of human culture as a whole. Dr S.C.Dube says basically there is no difference between both. Anthropology takes help from sociological research methods while sociology interprets the things on the basis of studies done by anthropology.

Now a days Tribal societies and civilized societies have been come closer to each other. Even the influence of technology is increasing day by day on tribal societies .The changing social values are encouraging them to form big groups A.L. Karoeber has called sociology and anthropology twin sisters. Evans Pritchard considers social Anthropology to be branch of sociology.

But in spite of their close relationship the two sciences are distinct:

1- Anthropology is the study social and cultural features of primitive societies while sociology studies the social and cultural features of modern societies.

2- The simple and static primitive societies's study is done by Anthropology while the study of complex and changeable societies is conducted by sociology.

3- The study methods are different for both sciences. Participant observation is a more common method of study in Anthropology, while sociology uses other methods (including Survey, scientific research, using exisiting data to create theories, and also participant observation).

4- Sociology is concerned with social planning where as Anthropology is not concerned with social planning. It does not give any suggestion for future society.