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SOCIAL CHANGE
Study Unit 10.1
By C Settley
Learning Outcomes
Define the concept social change Theories of social change Discuss the characteristics of social change Discuss the following sources of social change Cultural innovation Population Define the concept modernity Explore the key dimensions to modernisation
according to Berger
The concept: Social Change
Social change refers to an alteration in the social order of a society.Social change may include changes in nature, social institutions, social behaviours, or social relations.
Theories of social change
Evolutionary theory Evolutionary theories are based on the
assumption that societies gradually change from simple beginnings into even more complex forms.
According to them social change meant progress toward something better. They saw change as positive and beneficial. To them the evolutionary process implied that societies would necessarily reach new and higher levels of civilization.
Theories of social change
Cyclical theory Focusses on the rise and fall of civilizations
attempting to discover and account for these patterns of growth and decay.
Theories of social change
Equilibrium theory Functional approach- arguing that the various
institutions, groups and cultural patterns within a particular society mutually support one another.
Theories of social change
Conflict theory Conflict theory emphasizes the role of coercion
and power in producing social order. This perspective is derived from the works of Karl Marx, who saw society as fragmented into groups that compete for social and economic resources. Social order is maintained by domination, with power in the hands of those with the greatest political, economic, and social resources.
Characteristics of Social Change
(1) Social change takes place everywhere It means that social change is not confined to a particular
society or group. It occurs in every society, sociologically, speaking an unchangeable society is considered as a dead society. Thus, no society is free from the impact of social change.
Characteristics of Social Change
(2) Social change may be intentional but is mostly unplanned
Planned changes are those which occur by some deliberate or conscious effort. On the other hand, unplanned change refers to the change which occurs without any deliberate effort like earth-quake, war, political revolution and other natural calamities. Thus, social change occurs both in planned and unplanned manner.
Characteristics of Social Change (3) Social change generates controversy Has both positive and negative effects. Advanced technology
increases productivity and leads to larger bank balances.
(4)Certain changes are more meaningful than others Some changes are rapid, while some stretch over generations.
Sources of Social ChangeWhy does Social change occur? CULTURAL INNOVATION - Is the development of new material or nonmaterial elements in
culture. 3 means by which it occurs: discovery, invention & diffusion
Tradition orientated societies do not encourage discoveries and inventions. They lack technology and resist change.
This is because they regard maintenance of stability as important Inventions which endanger the tradition might be negatively
sanctioned
Sources of Social Change
CULTURAL INNOVATION Inventions and discoveries lead to further ones. The applications of invention increases all the time Eg glass –jewellery-lenses-test tubes-light bulbs- television tubes etc The size and content of a society plays a role here Challenge is an important source of change: without challenge there
is no innovation It allows for searching of new ideas Inventions and discovery leads to social change
Sources of Social Change
CULTURAL INNOVATION diffusion- where certain cultural elements are incorporated into
others Readily accepted Two way process Social change may have negative effects when occurring too rapidly Eg cultural lag- inability to keep the pace
Sources of Social Change
POPULATION Rapid growth destructive social change Results in hunger, poor housing, poverty, political conflict,
inadequate health services, job competition, unemployment
The concept Modernity
Refers to social patterns linked to increasing industrialization and modernization to the process of social change initiated by industrialization
Dimensions of Modernization according to BergerThe decline of small, traditional communities
Disappearance of communities
Experience solidarity (mutual decision)
- Changes in initial beliefs
The expansion of personal choice
In traditional communities, human life was shaped and influenced by forces beyond human control- gods and spirits
Therefore, people had few choices but to act traditionally
Modernisation has influenced this- lifestyles etc
Increasing diversity in beliefs
Dimensions of Modernization according to Berger
Future orientation and awareness of time- Modern people think more about the future
- They are optimistic that discoveries will enricher their lives
- In modern life, time has become important
- People think in terms of hours and minutes
- ‘time is money’
- Punctuality and productive use of every possible minute is the rule
- Due to growing importance of economy, people no longer think of time in terms of sunlight and seasons
References
Bhatt, A. (2012). Complete information on social change and its characteristics. Retrieved on 14 October 2015. Available at: http://www.preservearticles.com/copyright-infringement-takedown-notification-policy-preservearticlescom.html
Du Toit, D.A. & Van Staden S.J. (2014). Nursing Sociology. 4th Edition. Pretoria: Van Schaik