II.
PRESENTATION (Lesson Proper)
The social sciences investigate human society and the different forces that operate within
it. The different disciplines of the social sciences look at human societies in diverse
perspectives and focus on a particular area of expertise for analysis. Economics, political
science, sociology, geography, anthropology, psychology, demography, history, and linguistic
are the branches of the social sciences. These disciplines provide social scientists with the
relevant knowledge, tools, and skills that can help them fully understand social phenomena.
The applied social sciences, on the other hand, focusses on the practical application in the
real-life setting of the diverse theories, frameworks, concepts, and methodologies learned
from the social sciences. This chapter`s lesson discusses the main differences between the
social sciences and the applied social sciences. It also studies the definitions and the different
disciplines that comprise the social sciences and the applied social sciences.
• What is Social Science?
The social sciences are vast field of scientific studies that investigate human societies and
the different forces that work within them. These diverse fields examine how people
interact and develop culture. Social Science is the study of society and the manner in which
people behave and impact the world. As a body of scientific knowledge, it provides diverse
set of lenses that help us understand and explain the different facets of human body.
 Branches of Social Science 1. Economics
Studies the allocation of scarce resources and the production and exchange of goods and
services in society. Economics endeavors to understand and explain human activities in
relation to the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. As a
discipline of social sciences, economics analyzes the supply and demand principles,
economic fluctuations, savings, and investments and cost and prices.
Subfields:
a. Environmental Economics- Studies the allocation of natural resources.
b. Labor Economics- Focuses on the study of the decision-making and behaviors of
employees and the relationships between employers and their employees.
c. Business Economics- Examines the behavior of companies and firms by studying
the factors that result in profit, maximization, price setting, production goals, and the
role of incentives.
d. Monetary Economics- Studies the nation`s production, inflation, income, interest
rates, and monetary policy.
2. Anthropology
It is the scientific study of humans and their cultures in the past and present time. To
understand the complexity of cultures across all of human history, anthropology
draws and builds upon knowledge from the social and biological sciences and the
humanities and physical sciences. Its studies are commonly associated with the study
of the culture of preliterate and unindustrialized societies.
Areas:
a. Cultural Anthropology- Studies the development of human cultures based on
ethnolinguistic linguistic, social, and psychological data of analysis.
b. Physical Anthropology- Studies human biological nature, particularly its
beginning, evolution, and variation in prehistory.
c. Archeology- Studies human life in the past through the examination of thins left
behind by the people.
d. Anthropological linguistics- Studies language and their relationship to the
cultures in which they are used.
3. History
Is systematic study of human past events in order to understand the meaning,
dynamics, and relationship of the cause and effects of events in the development of
societies. It is derived from the Greek word historia, which means “inquiry” or
“investigation”. It focuses on the reconstruction and recreation of past events as they
actually happened through the use of primary sources (eyewitness/contemporaneous
accounts) and secondary sources (not eye-witness).
Subfields:
a. Political History- Studies the history of political institutions.
b. Economic History- Studies the development of economic institutions and other
economic factors.
c. Social History- Studies the history of ordinary lives of people like women, children,
ethnic groups, and different sectors of society from a historical point of view.
d. History of Medicine and Public Health- Examines the history of public health and
human medicine.
e. Environmental History- Looks into the history of the interaction of humans with the
environment.
f. Social History- studies the history of the development of businesses, companies and
industries.
g. Biographies- Studies the history of great persons in History.
4. Political Science
Primarily studies human behavior in relation to political systems, governments, laws, and
international relations. It examines the relationship between people and policy at all
levels from the individual to the national and international levels.
Fields of Study:
a. Domestic Politics- Studies public opinion, elections, national and local governments.
b. Comparative Politics- Studies politics within countries and analyzes the similarities
and differences between and among countries.
c. International relations- Focuses on the study of political relationship and interaction
between and among countries.
d. Public Administration- Studies national and local governance and bureaucracy.
e. Public Law- Examines legal system, civil rights, and criminal justice.
5. Psychology
Studies how the human mind works in consonance with the body to produce
thoughts that lead to individual actions. Psychology analyzes how people and groups
experience the world through various emotions, ideas, and in different conscious
states.
Subfields:
a. Experimental Psychology- Studies behavior of humans and animals and examines
how and why learning takes place.
b. Developmental Psychology- Studies the ways of people change and behave as they
go through their life.
c. Personality Psychology- Studies human nature and differences among people.
d. Social Psychology- Looks into the behavior of people in a group.
e. Environmental Psychology- Studies the effects of surroundings on a person`s
attitude and behavior.
6. Sociology
A systematic study of people`s behavior in groups. It is derived from the Latin word
socio which means “people together” and Greek word logos which means “the
study of”. As a discipline of the social science, it attempts to understand why and
how people interact with each other and how they function as a society or social
subgroups.
Subfields:
a. Applied Sociology- Focus on the use and proper application of sociological theories,
methods and skills to examine data, solve problems and communicate research to the
public.
b. Urban Sociology- Studies societal life and interactions in urban areas through the
application of sociological methods like statistical analysis and ethnographies.
c. Cultural Sociology- Analyzes the development of social institutions, norms and
practices.
d. Rural Sociology- Studies the social life in rural areas.
e. Medical Sociology- Examines the societal aspects of health and medicine of people.
f. Sociology of Education- Analyzes how social forces and institutions like politics,
economic systems, and culture affects schools and educational systems.
g. Political Sociology- Examines how social structures affects and influences politics.
h. Military Sociology- Sociological study of the military organization the different civilian
and military relationships, war experiences, and other use and control of force.
7. Geography
Is the study of interaction between people and their environments. Geography was
derived from the Greek words: geo meaning “Earth” and graphos meaning
“charting” or “mapping.” Geography explores both the physical properties of Earth`s
surface and their relationship with human societies. It also studies how human
culture interacts with the natural environment and the impact of locations and places
on people.
Subfields:
a. Physical Geography- Studies the natural features of the Earth, including land, water,
and atmosphere.
b. Human Geography- Studies how people create cultures in their natural environment.
8. Demography
According to the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (2016), it is the
scientific study of human populations across time. It examines the changes in
population growth through the analysis of statistics on birth, human movement and
morbidity, agedness, and mortality.
Subfields:
a. Population Studies or Social Demography- Analyze demographic data to define,
explain, and foresee social phenomena. It also studies social-status composition and
population distribution.
9. Linguistic
Focuses on theories of language structure, variation and use, the description and
documentation of contemporary languages, and the implications of theories of
language for an understanding of the mind and brain, human culture, social behavior,
and language learning and teaching.
• What is Applied Social Science?
The applied social sciences were introduced as a reaction to the highly segmented and
compartmentalized division of the social science disciplines that dominated western research
training during the late 1990`s and until the end of twentieth century. Applied social science
focus on the theoretical study of society, the applied social sciences focus on the use and
application of different concepts, theoretical models, and theories of the social science
disciplines to help understand society and the different problems and issues it faces. The applied
social sciences are utilized to provide alternative solutions to the diverse problems of society
(Gouldner, 1989).
 Three main career tracks for Applied Social Scientist:
1. Counseling
As an application of the social sciences, counseling provides guidance, help, and
support to individuals who are distraught by a diverse set of problems in their lives.
Through counseling, professional guidance is given to an individual and this is done by
applying psychological methods like collection of case history data, personal
interviews, and aptitudes tests.
2. Social Work
Social work is another professional activity of the applied social sciences. having been
trained in the social sciences to interact and understand social realities, an applied
social practitioner has a good theoretical and conceptual foundation for social work
practice. In social work, practitioners help individuals, families, and groups,
communities to improve their individual and collective well-being.
3. Communication Studies
Careers in the communication industry is in the field of mass media. It provides
adequate training for careers in the field of journalism and mass communication
because of multidisciplinary knowledge and skills that graduates learn from social
sciences. Communication practitioners are equipped with skills to write, produce and
deliver news accurately and creatively to the viewing public.
I.
PRESENTATION (Lesson Proper)
THE DISCIPLINE OF COUNSELING
Counseling is a challenging career path yet it is likewise interesting. Imagining yourself equipped
with gears for understanding, linking, and assisting people. Isn`t it fascinating to be an
instrument in advancing self-awareness and in enhancing capacity to relate with others, manage
with stress, and resolve problems? This chapter intends to stimulate you to appreciate
counseling.
• What is Counseling?
Nystul (2003) defined counseling as basically an art
and a science wherein you endeavor to weigh the
objective and subjective facets of the counseling
process counseling as an art is the subjective
dimension of counseling. It upholds flexible and
creative process whereby the counselor modifies
the approach to meet the needs of the client. It is
also associated with the act of giving oneself and
being compassionate in counseling processes.
Counseling is a fundamental part in the area of
helping not only in social work but also in
guidance.
Based on ‘the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004, guidance and counseling is the profession
that implicates the application of “an integrated approach to the development of a wellfunctioning individual” through the provision of support that aids an individual to use his/her
potentials to the fullest in accord with his/her interests, needs, and abilities (University of
Queensland, 2015)
At the American Counseling Association (ACA) Conference in Pittsburgh in March 2010, the
representatives agreed that counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse
individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career
goals (Kaplan, Tarvydas, and Gladding, 2014).

GOALS OF COUNSELING
1. Development Goals- Assist in meeting or advancing the client`s human growth and
development including social, personal, emotional, cognitive and physical wellness.
2. Preventive Goals- Helps the client avoid some undesired outcome.
3. Enhancement Goals- Enhance special skills and abilities.
4. Remedial Goals- Assisting a client to overcome and treat an undesirable development.
5. Exploratory Goals- Examining options, testing of skills, trying new and different activities,


etc.
6. Reinforcement Goals- Helps client in recognizing that what they are doing, thinking and
feeling is fine.
7. Cognitive Goals- Involves acquiring the basic foundation of learning and cognitive skills.
8. Physiological Goals- Involves acquiring the basic understanding and habits for good
health.
9. Psychological Goals- Aids in developing good social interaction skills, learning emotional
control, and developing positive self-concept.
FIVE MAJOR GOALS OF COUNSELING
1. Behavior Change. A behavioral change might be the manner of solving a problem, as in
the case of a child who learners to get what he or she wants from others through verbal
requests and negotiation rather than physical aggression.
2. Enhancing coping skills. There are certain environment conditions that are adverse and
are difficult to change. However, learning how to manage one`s life in the face of adversity
makes room for accomplishment and enjoyment despite such condition.
3. Promote decision making. The counselor teaches the client self-assessment techniques
and ways to use information to arrive at personally satisfying answers.
4. Improving relationships. The counselors help the client in building and improving
relationship to those people around them.
5. Facilitate client`s potential. Clients are able to find an avenue where they can vent
negative feelings and bringing out the best in them.
FUNCTIONS OF COUNSELING
1. Advise. This pertains to telling a client what should be done. However, the counselor
should be able to make judgments about the client`s problems and lay out the possible
courses of action.
2. Reassurance. This involves giving the client courage and confidence that he or she is
capable of facing a problem. One problem with reassurance is that client does not accept it
because temporary his/her self-confidence may fade away as soon as they face the problem
again.
3. Communication. This entails providing information and understanding. Counselling is an
exchange of ideas and feelings between two people- the counselor and the client.
4. Clarified thinking. Through emotional release, the counselor encourages the client to
engage in more coherent, rational, and mature thought. It enables the client to accept
responsibility for emotional problems and think of realistic solutions to them.
5. Reorientation. This involves a transformation in the client through a change of his or her
goals. Reorientation helps the client recognize and accept their own limitation as well
(Newstrom, 2007).

COMPONENTS OF COUNSELING
1. The Counsellor. A trained professional who serves client through therapeutic
communication, which entails encouraging disclosure, listening to the client, and giving
advice, among other things. A counsellor is expected to possess the following attributes and
values: A genuine desire to help the client; An acceptance of and respect the client; An ability
to listen and understand the client`s psychological pain from his or her perspective; and
Excellent therapeutic communication skills.
2. The Client. The client brings to counselling due to the following concerns: Personal pain;
Help-seeking by choice; and Personal issues

TYPES OF COUNSELING
1. Directive Counselling. Involves learning about, planning to solve, and motivating a client
to act on his or her problems. This type of counselling mostly accomplishes the counselling
function of advice, but it may also reassure, communicate, give emotional release, and to a
minor extent clarify thinking. In descriptive counselling, it is the counsellor who does most of
talking. The client is psychologically dependent on the counsellors whose role as a problem
solver.
2. Nondirective or Client-Centered Counselling. Is at the opposite end of the optimum.
It involves skillfully listening to and encouraging a client to explain his or her issue, understand
them, and determine appropriate solutions. It focusses on the client rather that the
counsellor, thus, the client does most of the talking in this type of counselling. The client is
psychologically independent.
3. Participative or Cooperative Counselling. Is a mutual counsellor-client relationship
that establish a cooperative exchange of ideas to help solve a client`s problem/s. The
counsellor and the client both mutually apply their different knowledge, perspective, and
values to problems.

SCOPE OF COUNSELLING
1. Sexual Abuse
2. Gender
3. Low Self-esteem/ Self-confidence
4. Anxiety
5. Depression/Stress
6. Loss
7. Anger
8. Studies
9. Family Problem
10. Jealousy
11. Money matters
12. Transition in Life

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF COUNSELING
1. Autonomy of Individual. Based on the right to freedom of action and freedom of choice in
so far as the pursuit of these freedom does not interfere with the freedom of others; counseling
cannot happen unless client has made a free choice to participate.
2. Principles of Nonmaleficence. This refers to instruction to all helpers or healers that they
must, above all, do no harm. They are trained to an appropriate level of competence, that they
must monitor and maintain their competence through supervision, consultation and training.
3. Principle of Justice. Concerned with the fair distribution of resources and services, unless
there is some acceptable reason for treating them differently. Commitment to be fair goes
beyond that of the ordinary person; in view of the agreement to promote worth and dignity of
individual, counselors are required to be concerned with equal treatment for all individuals
(Kitchener, 1984 as cited in McLeod, 2003)
4. Principle of Fidelity. Shares to the presence of loyalty, reliability, dependability and action
in good faith. The rule of confidentiality reveals the importance of fidelity; entering into a
contract means to stay with the client and give the case his/her efforts.
5. Principles of Beneficence. Counselors must do all they can do to help their clients.
Moreover, valuing beneficence also means that the counsellor cannot end the process without
seeing an improvement in the client. Failure of the counsellor to achieve his or her goal, which
is to help clients address their problems successfully.
I.
PRESENTATION (Lesson Proper)
ITS ROLES, FUNCTIONS AND COMPETENCIES
“COUNSELING IS A HELPING PROFESSION.”

ROLES
AND FUNCTION OF
COUNSELORS
1. Individual Assessment- Seek to identify the
characteristics and potential of every client;
promotes the client`s self-understanding and
assisting counselors to understand the client better.
2. Individual Counseling. Consider as the core
activity through which other activities become
meaningful. It is a client-centered process that
demands confidentiality.
3. Group Counseling and Guidance. Groups are
means providing organized and planned assistance to individuals for array of needs. Counselor
provides assistance through group counseling and group guidance.
4. Career Assistance. Counselors are called on to provide career planning and adjustment
assistance to clients.
5. Placement and Follow-Up. A service of school counseling programs with emphasis on
educational placements in course and programs.
6. Referral. It is the practice of helping clients find needed expert assistance that the referring
counselor cannot provide.
7. Consultation. It is a process of helping a client through a third party or helping system improve
its services to its clientele.
8. Research. It is necessary to advance the profession of counseling; it can provide empirically
based data relevant to the ultimate goal of implementing effective counseling.
9. Evaluation and Accountability. Evaluation is a means of addressing the effectiveness of
counselor’s activities. Accountability is an outgrowth of demand that schools and other taxsupported institutions be held accountable for their actions.
10. Prevention. This includes promotion of mental health through primary prevention using a
social-psychological perspective.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES OF COUNSELORS
1. Marriage and Family Counseling. It refers to the efforts to establish an encouraging
relationship with a couple or family and appreciate the complication in the family system.
2. Child and Adolescent Counseling. Is a developing area of expertise in the counseling
profession. Common problems include child abuse and neglect, child/adolescent depression,
3.
4.
5.
6.

and antisocial behavior. The counseling strategies focus on helping children and adolescents
acquire coping skills.
Group
Counseling. Group
counseling is a dynamic field in the
counseling
profession.
Group counseling as a practice can
be
located in
most
counseling
programs
and
becomes an essential part of the
counselor’s system.
Career Counseling. Is an evolving
and
challenging counseling
field. This type of counseling aids
individuals on decision and planning
concerning their career.
School Counseling. Refers to the process of reaching out to students with concerns on drugs,
family and peers, or gang involvement. The job requires skills on consultation, counseling
exceptional students and with the ability to handle problems such as drug abuse, teenage
pregnancy, divorced or single parents, and dropping out of school.
Mental Health Counseling. It is manifested in the challenges posed by its clientele with
mental disorders. Mental disorders include serious depression, schizophrenia, and substance
abuse. Mental health counselors have to be inventive, and creative to address the problem.
RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES OF COUNSELORS
 The Counseling Relationships
1. Client Welfare. Counselor’s primary responsibility is to respect the dignity and to
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
promote the welfare of clients.
Respecting Diversity. Counselors do not engage in discrimination based on age, color,
culture, disability, ethnic group, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status,
and socio-economic status.
Client Rights. Counselors offer clients the freedom to choose whether to enter into a
counselling relationship and to determine which professional will provide counselling,
except when the client in unable to give consent.
Clients Served by others. In cases where the client is receiving services from another
mental health professional with client’s consent inform the professional person already
involved to an agreement.
Personal Needs and Values. Maintain respect for clients and avoid actions that seek
to meet their personal needs at the expense of the client.
Dual Relationships. Counselors are aware of their influential position over their clients
and avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of the clients.
Sexual Intimacies with Clients. Counselors should not have any type of sexual
intimacies with clients and do not counsel persons with whom they have sexual
relationships.
8. Multiple Clients. Counselors clarify at the outset which person or persons are clients and
the nature of relationship they will have with each involved person.
9. Group Work. Counselors screen prospective group counselling or therapy participants to
determine those with compatible needs.
10. Fees. Counselors clearly explain the clients all financial arrangements related to
professional fees.
 Confidentiality
1. Right to Privacy. Counselors should respect a client’s right to privacy and avoid illegal
and unwarranted disclosures and unwarranted information.
2. Groups and Families. In group work, counsellors clearly define confidentiality and
parameters for the specific group being entered, explain its importance, and discuss
difficulties related to confidentiality involved in group work.
3. Minor Competent Clients. When counselling clients who are minors or individuals who
are unable to give voluntary, informed consent, parents or guardians may be included in the
counselling process as appropriate.
4. Records. Counselors maintain records necessary for rendering professional services to
their clients and as required by laws, regulations, agency or institution procedures.
5. Research and Training. Use of data derived from counselling relationships for purposes
of training, research, or publication is confined to content that is disguised to ensure the
anonymity of the individuals involved.
6. Consultation. Information obtained in a consulting relationship is discussed for
professional purposes only with persons clearly concerned with the case.
 Professional Responsibility
1. Standards Knowledge. Counselors have a responsibility to read understand and
follow the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
2. Professional Competence. Counselors practice only within the boundaries of their
competence based on their education, training, supervised experience, state and
national professional credentials, and appropriate professional experience.
I.
PRESENTATION (Lesson Proper)
THE COUNSELING AND ITS CLIENTELE AND AUDIENCE
The clientele and audiences of the
counseling profession come from different
settings. Counselors deal with a mixture of
people with different concerns and issues.
Through the years, special counseling
populations have evolved. The special
clientele has been increasing attention by
the counseling profession due to frequent
occurrences and growing number of clients.
The special counseling population is
composed of people who abused drugs, people who use tobacco, women, older
adults, people with AIDS, victims of abuse, gay men and lesbian women, and people
with disabilities (Gibson and Mitchell, 2003).
•
People Who Abuse Tobacco
Slowly, our population recognizes the bad effects of tobacco to our health. However,
many people still use and continue to use tobacco even if it is deadly. Users find it
difficult to stop smoking. Hence, smokers who desires to quit tobacco were added to
the list of the counselor`s audiences.
•
People Who Abuse Alcohol
Alcoholism is seen as a disease and alcoholics find it difficult to stop drinking on their
own. This requires help from a professional as it requires appropriate treatment.
However, an equally important paradigm is to look at alcoholism as a weakness of selfcontrol and self-discipline. Therefore, this requires intervention other than treatment.
•
People Who Abuse Drugs
In our society, there are increasing drug users. Drug abuse is not just harmful to our
physical health but to our mental health as well. It cannot be denied that drug
addiction creates more social problems and contribute to social disintegration.
Consequently, more youth victims cry for help and seek for counselor`s attention.
•
Women
Even with the changing role of women in society, men still predominantly control
purchasing and decision-making powers. Most men still have less participation in
household responsibilities and child care. In this case, women`s advancement is
constrained. What complicates this situation is the women`s perception about
themselves and the society`s expectations. Counselors are responsible in helping
women appreciate their own values, abilities, aptitudes, and interests and to utilize
these to develop their full potential (Gibson and Mitchel, 2002).
•
Older Adults
The aging population is increasingly rising and demands more attention. Retirees who
are adjusting to life outside work feel lost and ignored. Life for them suddenly loses
meaning. A transition from a busy life to retirement stage must be instituted. This is a
challenge to the counseling profession. Other aging issues that require attention of
counseling include loss of partner, decline of mental capacity and mobility, increased
loneliness, decline in financial security, etc.
•
People With AIDS
Acquired immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been labeled as the most featured
disease due to its incurability. Victims of this disease are seeking help to improve their
quality of life and to handle their emotional stress and low self-esteem. Counseling
approach requires sensitivity and appreciation of the intricacies of the disease.
Counselors may also help in assisting and educating the victim`s support system.
•
Victims of Abuse
This population represents victims of domestic violence characterized by spouse and
child abuses. Spouse abuse is often associated with poverty, drug abuse, and career
disappointments. The abuse has also become rampant and has caused psychological
damage to the victims. The counselors are increasingly being utilized to help the
victims.
•
Gay and Lesbian
There is a growing number of gays and lesbian that are coming out. However, there
are still sectors in the society, including their own families, that avoid and discriminate
them. They are usually the victims of harassment, violence, discrimination, and
isolation. Gays and lesbians, like other sectors of the society, suffer from the peer
denial, family clash, health uncertainties, and prejudgment. Counseling will focus on
self-awareness, self-acceptance, and understanding.
COUNSELING AND ITS WORK SETTINGS
Counselors are employed indifferent work settings such as schools, community,
private sector, mental facilities, and government. However, most are deployed in
school setting and mental facilities.
Counselors in School
According to Gibson and Mitchell (2003), counselors are
recognized especially in the preventive interventions and
developmental stage. The counseling service in the school is usually
located under the student affairs program.
It is under the supervision of the Dean of Student Affairs.
Counselors in
Community Setting
This setting refers to employment in community, agency, and
other non-school professional situations. Counselors can be found in
community and mental health agencies, employment and
rehabilitation agencies, correctional setting, and marriage and family
practice (Gibson and Mitchell, 2003).
Counselors in the Private
Sector
This setting refers to counselors who decided to do full time work
as private practitioners or engage in part-time private practice while
employed by community agencies. This is feasible if the counselor`s
expertise and specialization match or relevant to an adequate client
population in the geographic area (Gibson and Mitchell, 2003)
Counselors in the
Government
Counselors are also present in various agencies of government or
institutions supported by the government that are into social
welfare, health, and education. Relevant agencies or institutions
include public schools, public hospitals, public social welfare
agencies such as that for the youth, children, and the aging