Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sociobiology'

English Word: sociobiology

Key Russian Translations:

• Социобиология [səsʲɪ.ɐ.bʲɪ.ɐ.lə.ɡʲɪ.jə] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Low (This term is specialized and primarily used in academic, scientific, and biological contexts, making it uncommon in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C2, as it involves understanding complex scientific concepts and advanced vocabulary in Russian, suitable for proficient learners with a background in biology or linguistics.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Социобиология: [səsʲɪ.ɐ.bʲɪ.ɐ.lə.ɡʲɪ.jə]

Note on Социобиология: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("био"), which is common in compound scientific terms. Pronunciation may vary slightly by regional dialect, but this IPA reflects standard Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The study of the biological basis of social behavior in animals and humans.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Социобиология - Used in formal academic and scientific discussions to describe the interdisciplinary field combining biology and sociology.

Usage Examples:

• Социобиология изучает, как генетические факторы влияют на социальное поведение животных.

  Sociobiology studies how genetic factors influence the social behavior of animals.

• В рамках социобиологии учёные анализируют эволюционные аспекты человеческого общества.

  Within sociobiology, scientists analyze the evolutionary aspects of human society.

• Социобиология часто критикуется за упрощение сложных социальных явлений до биологических механизмов.

  Sociobiology is often criticized for reducing complex social phenomena to biological mechanisms.

• Применение социобиологии в психологии помогает объяснить инстинкты выживания в группах.

  The application of sociobiology in psychology helps explain survival instincts in groups.

• Современная социобиология интегрирует данные из генетики и этологии для понимания культурных норм.

  Modern sociobiology integrates data from genetics and ethology to understand cultural norms.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Социобиология is a feminine noun in Russian, derived from Greek roots, and follows standard noun declension patterns. It is an abstract scientific term and does not change in most contexts, but it can inflect for case, number, and gender as needed.

Note: The plural forms are less common as this term typically refers to the field as a whole, but they can be used in discussions of multiple sub-disciplines.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Биосоциология (biosociology) - Often used interchangeably in broader contexts, emphasizing the biological-social link.
  • Эволюционная социология (evolutionary sociology) - Focuses on evolutionary aspects, with subtle differences in emphasis on genetics versus behavior.
• Antonyms:
  • Культурология (cultural studies) - Contrasts by focusing on cultural rather than biological determinants of behavior.
  • Социальный конструктивизм (social constructivism) - Emphasizes learned social norms over innate biological factors.

Related Phrases:

• Эволюционная социобиология - Evolutionary sociobiology; a phrase used to specify the Darwinian aspects of the field.
• Генетические основы социального поведения - Genetic foundations of social behavior; often paired with sociobiology in scientific discussions.
• Социобиология и этика - Sociobiology and ethics; refers to debates on the moral implications of biological determinism.

Usage Notes:

Sociobiology corresponds closely to "социобиология" in Russian, which is a direct borrowing from English and used in formal, academic settings. It is typically employed in scientific literature, lectures, or discussions among experts. Be mindful of the formal register; avoid using it in casual conversation. When choosing translations, "социобиология" is the most precise, but if emphasizing evolutionary aspects, "эволюционная социобиология" might be more appropriate. Grammatically, it functions as a feminine noun, so adjectives and verbs must agree accordingly (e.g., "эта социобиология важна" for "this sociobiology is important").

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing it with "социология" (sociology), which omits the biological component. Incorrect: "Социология объясняет генетическое поведение" (Sociology explains genetic behavior). Correct: "Социобиология объясняет генетическое поведение" (Sociobiology explains genetic behavior). Explanation: Learners often overlook the "bio" prefix, leading to a loss of specificity; always include it for accuracy.
• Mistake: Incorrect inflection, such as using the nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "О социобиология" (instead of "О социобиологии"). Correct: "О социобиологии". Explanation: Russian nouns require proper case agreement; check the context to ensure the right form.
• Mistake: Overgeneralizing its application to human behavior without caveats. Incorrect: "Социобиология доказывает, что все поведение генетически предопределено" (Sociobiology proves that all behavior is genetically predetermined). Correct: "Социобиология изучает возможные генетические влияния на поведение" (Sociobiology studies possible genetic influences on behavior). Explanation: The field is often misinterpreted; emphasize that it examines influences, not absolute determinants.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and academia, sociobiology gained prominence during the late Soviet era as part of broader interest in evolutionary biology, influenced by figures like Darwin. However, it faced criticism due to its potential implications for social policies, echoing historical debates on genetics and society. Understanding this context helps English speakers appreciate how sociobiology intersects with Russian philosophical traditions, where biology is often linked to national identity and environmental adaptation.

Related Concepts:

• Этология (ethology)
• Генетика поведения (behavioral genetics)
• Эволюционная психология (evolutionary psychology)