Subdiscipline vs. Discipline: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 22, 2024
A subdiscipline is a specialized area within a broader discipline, focusing on more specific topics, while a discipline is a broad field of study encompassing various subdisciplines.
Key Differences
A subdiscipline is a narrower area of study within a broader academic discipline. It focuses on more specific topics and often requires a deep understanding of the broader field. A discipline, on the other hand, is a broad field of study encompassing a wide range of topics and subfields. Biology, for example, is a discipline that includes various subdisciplines such as botany, zoology, and microbiology.
Subdisciplines often emerge as new areas of interest and research develop within a discipline. They allow for a more focused and detailed exploration of specific aspects. Disciplines, in contrast, are established fields with well-defined boundaries and methodologies. They encompass the general principles and theories that guide research and study in various subfields.
In academia, subdisciplines enable scholars to specialize and contribute to more specific areas of knowledge. They often lead to specialized courses, research projects, and publications. Disciplines provide the overarching structure for academic programs, degrees, and departments. They offer a comprehensive curriculum that includes various subfields, allowing students to gain a broad understanding before specializing.
Comparison Chart
Scope
Narrow, specialized focus
Broad, encompassing multiple subfields
Example
Marine biology
Biology
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Academic Structure
Specialized courses and research
Comprehensive curriculum
Emergence
Develops from specific interests within a discipline
Established field with defined boundaries
Focus
In-depth exploration of specific topics
General principles and theories
Subdiscipline and Discipline Definitions
Subdiscipline
A subdivision of a main academic discipline.
Criminology is a subdiscipline of sociology.
Discipline
An established branch of knowledge or learning.
Sociology is a discipline that studies human society.
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Subdiscipline
A specialized branch within a broader discipline.
Marine biology is a subdiscipline of biology.
Discipline
A general area of academic or professional practice.
Psychology is a discipline focused on mental processes and behavior.
Subdiscipline
A focused area of study within an academic field.
Cognitive psychology is a subdiscipline of psychology.
Discipline
A comprehensive academic field.
Economics is a discipline that examines production, consumption, and distribution.
Subdiscipline
A narrower area of expertise within a discipline.
Neuroeconomics is a subdiscipline of economics.
Discipline
An overarching field of study with various subfields.
Physics is a discipline that explores the laws of nature.
Subdiscipline
A specific field of research within a broader subject.
Astrophysics is a subdiscipline of physics.
Discipline
Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement
Was raised in the strictest discipline.
Subdiscipline
A field of specialized study within a broader discipline; a subfield.
Discipline
Control obtained by enforcing compliance or order
Military discipline.
Subdiscipline
A field of study or work that is related to one aspect, but not the whole, of a broader field of study or work.
Social psychology is a subdiscipline of psychology.
Phonology is a subdiscipline of linguistics.
Discipline
Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control
Dieting takes a lot of discipline.
Discipline
A state of order based on submission to rules and authority
A teacher who demanded discipline in the classroom.
Discipline
Punishment intended to correct or train
Subjected to harsh discipline.
Discipline
A set of rules or methods, as those regulating the practice of a church or monastic order.
Discipline
A branch of knowledge or teaching
The discipline of mathematics.
Discipline
To train by instruction and practice, as in following rules or developing self-control
The sergeant disciplined the recruits to become soldiers.
Discipline
To punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience.
Discipline
To impose order on
Needed to discipline their study habits.
Discipline
A controlled behaviour; self-control.
Discipline
An enforced compliance or control.
Discipline
A systematic method of obtaining obedience.
Discipline
A state of order based on submission to authority.
Discipline
A set of rules regulating behaviour.
Discipline
A punishment to train or maintain control.
Discipline
A specific branch of knowledge or learning.
Discipline
A category in which a certain art, sport or other activity belongs.
Discipline
(transitive) To train someone by instruction and practice.
Discipline
(transitive) To teach someone to obey authority.
Discipline
(transitive) To punish someone in order to (re)gain control.
Discipline
(transitive) To impose order on someone.
Discipline
The treatment suited to a disciple or learner; education; development of the faculties by instruction and exercise; training, whether physical, mental, or moral.
Wife and children are a kind of discipline of humanity.
Discipline aims at the removal of bad habits and the substitution of good ones, especially those of order, regularity, and obedience.
Discipline
Training to act in accordance with established rules; accustoming to systematic and regular action; drill.
Their wildness lose, and, quitting nature's part,Obey the rules and discipline of art.
Discipline
Subjection to rule; submissiveness to order and control; habit of obedience.
The most perfect, who have their passions in the best discipline, are yet obliged to be constantly on their guard.
Discipline
Severe training, corrective of faults; instruction by means of misfortune, suffering, punishment, etc.
A sharp discipline of half a century had sufficed to educate us.
Discipline
Correction; chastisement; punishment inflicted by way of correction and training.
Giving her the discipline of the strap.
Discipline
The subject matter of instruction; a branch of knowledge.
Discipline
The enforcement of methods of correction against one guilty of ecclesiastical offenses; reformatory or penal action toward a church member.
Discipline
Self-inflicted and voluntary corporal punishment, as penance, or otherwise; specifically, a penitential scourge.
Discipline
A system of essential rules and duties; as, the Romish or Anglican discipline.
Discipline
To educate; to develop by instruction and exercise; to train.
Discipline
To accustom to regular and systematic action; to bring under control so as to act systematically; to train to act together under orders; to teach subordination to; to form a habit of obedience in; to drill.
Ill armed, and worse disciplined.
His mind . . . imperfectly disciplined by nature.
Discipline
To improve by corrective and penal methods; to chastise; to correct.
Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?
Discipline
To inflict ecclesiastical censures and penalties upon.
Discipline
A branch of knowledge;
In what discipline is his doctorate?
Teachers should be well trained in their subject
Anthropology is the study of human beings
Discipline
A system of rules of conduct or method of practice;
He quickly learned the discipline of prison routine
For such a plan to work requires discipline
Discipline
The trait of being well behaved;
He insisted on discipline among the troops
Discipline
Training to improve strength or self-control
Discipline
The act of punishing;
The offenders deserved the harsh discipline they received
Discipline
Train by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control;
Parents must discipline their children
Is this dog trained?
Discipline
Punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience;
The teacher disciplined the pupils rather frequently
Discipline
A broad field of academic study.
Biology is a discipline that includes many subfields.
FAQs
Can you give an example of a subdiscipline?
Yes, marine biology is a subdiscipline of biology.
How are subdisciplines taught in universities?
Subdisciplines are often taught through specialized courses and research projects.
How does a discipline differ from a subdiscipline?
A discipline is a broad field of study, while a subdiscipline is a more focused area within that field.
What is the role of a discipline in academia?
A discipline provides the foundational knowledge and framework for various subfields and specializations.
Can a subdiscipline become a discipline?
Over time, a subdiscipline can evolve into a discipline if it develops a broad and distinct body of knowledge.
What is a subdiscipline?
A subdiscipline is a specialized area within a broader discipline, focusing on specific topics.
Why do subdisciplines emerge?
Subdisciplines emerge as new areas of interest and research develop within a broader discipline.
Can you give an example of a discipline?
Yes, psychology is a discipline that encompasses various subfields like cognitive psychology and clinical psychology.
Is cognitive psychology a discipline or subdiscipline?
Cognitive psychology is a subdiscipline of psychology.
How does one choose a subdiscipline to study?
Students often choose a subdiscipline based on their specific interests within a broader discipline.
How are subdisciplines created?
Subdisciplines are created as scholars and researchers identify and focus on specific areas within a broader discipline.
Do disciplines evolve over time?
Yes, disciplines can evolve and expand, incorporating new subdisciplines as knowledge grows.
Do all disciplines have subdisciplines?
Most disciplines have multiple subdisciplines that allow for specialization in specific areas.
How do disciplines benefit academic study?
Disciplines provide a comprehensive curriculum and framework for studying a wide range of topics.
Are subdisciplines important for research?
Yes, subdisciplines allow for in-depth research and specialization in specific areas of interest.
What is the scope of a discipline?
The scope of a discipline is broad, covering multiple subfields and general principles.
What is the main characteristic of a subdiscipline?
A subdiscipline is characterized by its narrow and specialized focus within a broader field.
What is an example of how subdisciplines are used in professional practice?
In professional practice, subdisciplines like pediatric medicine allow doctors to specialize in treating children.
Why are disciplines important for education?
Disciplines are important because they provide a structured approach to learning and understanding broad fields of knowledge.
What is the relationship between a discipline and its subdisciplines?
Subdisciplines are specific areas of study that fall under the broader umbrella of a discipline.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
