Society Challenge and ChangeSociety Challenge and Change What is Social Change:What is Social Change:

Social change refers to changes in the way society Social change refers to changes in the way society is organized and in the beliefs and practices of the is organized and in the beliefs and practices of the people who live in itpeople who live in it

Social Scientists try to understand the nature of Social Scientists try to understand the nature of social change and what forces drive it rather then social change and what forces drive it rather then predict the future.predict the future.

What are the Social Sciences?What are the Social Sciences?

Groups

The Social Sciences

Goods & Services

Government

Human Behaviour

Personality

Climate

Culture

Economics

Economics

Political

Political Science

Science

Sociology

Sociology

Psych

ology

Psych

ology

Geo

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Geo

grap

hyAnth

ropolo

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Anthro

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yyHuman behaviour is so varied, that social sciences have been organized into specialties according to areas of concern.

Each area asks different questions when trying to account for human behaviour.

Social ScienceSocial Science is the study of humans in their social, economic and political relations.

Anthropology, Psychology Anthropology, Psychology & Sociology& Sociology

AnthropologyAnthropology – the – the study of the unity and study of the unity and diversity of humanity diversity of humanity (and related primates) (and related primates) and of human culture and of human culture and society from a and society from a comparative and global comparative and global perspective.perspective.

PsychologyPsychology – the study of thought processes – the study of thought processes and the behaviour of humansand the behaviour of humans

SociologySociology – the study of human social life, – the study of human social life, groups and societiesgroups and societies

Venn Diagram – Compare & ContrastVenn Diagram – Compare & Contrast

Anthropology

Socio

log

yP

sych

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gyAll Study

Human Behaviour

Cultural Customs &

Rituals

Behaviour of Individuals

Group dynamics, roles, rules, &

institutionsPersonality

Development

Behaviours of Groups &

institutions

Behaviours ofindividuals &

groups

How Do The Experts Compare and How Do The Experts Compare and Contrast Social Change?Contrast Social Change?

DISCIPLINEDISCIPLINE QUESTIONS ASKEDQUESTIONS ASKED

Anthropology focuses Anthropology focuses on what causes an on what causes an entire culture to changeentire culture to change

What are the known basic mechanisms of social change?What are the known basic mechanisms of social change?What ideas or explanations can we use to describe what causes What ideas or explanations can we use to describe what causes cultures to change?cultures to change?How adequate are these ideas or explanations when we apply How adequate are these ideas or explanations when we apply them to the modern world?them to the modern world?What are the implications for anthropology?What are the implications for anthropology?

Psychology focuses on Psychology focuses on behaviours of behaviours of individualsindividuals

What must people do to successfully change their behaviours?What must people do to successfully change their behaviours?What factors make behaviour-modification programs successful?What factors make behaviour-modification programs successful?Do most people need help in making behavioural changes or can Do most people need help in making behavioural changes or can they be self-changers?they be self-changers?

Sociology focuses on Sociology focuses on changes in a society.changes in a society.

What are the massive shifts in the behaviours and attitudes of What are the massive shifts in the behaviours and attitudes of groups and whole society?groups and whole society?How does social change come about?How does social change come about?What are the patterns of social change?What are the patterns of social change?

The The study of peoplestudy of people, whether it is , whether it is through through anthropologyanthropology, ,

sociologysociology, or , or psychologypsychology, , helps helps us to learn what drives people.us to learn what drives people.

The study of peopleThe study of people helps to breed helps to breed understandingunderstanding, and understanding , and understanding begets begets empathyempathy and and compassioncompassion

What What isis Anthropology? Anthropology?

AnthropologyAnthropology

Anthropology is the broad study of Anthropology is the broad study of humankind around the world and humankind around the world and throughout time.  throughout time. 

It is concerned with both the biological and It is concerned with both the biological and the cultural aspects of humans. the cultural aspects of humans. 

AnthropologyAnthropology

What makes humans different from other animals?What makes humans different from other animals? Is there such a thing as human nature, and if so, what Is there such a thing as human nature, and if so, what

is it like?is it like? How and why do human groups differ, both How and why do human groups differ, both

biologically and culturally?biologically and culturally? Why have humans changes so much in the last 10,000 Why have humans changes so much in the last 10,000

years?years? How are people who live in urbanized nations How are people who live in urbanized nations

different from “traditional” or “indigenous” people?different from “traditional” or “indigenous” people?

Anthropologists are interested in all human beings – whether living or dead.

No place or time is too remote to escape the notice of anthropologists.

No dimension of humankind from skin color to dress customs falls outside the anthropologist’s interest.

Anthropology is made up of Anthropology is made up of five sub-divisionsfive sub-divisions

Let’s get started…Let’s get started…

Physical AnthropologyPhysical Anthropology

A.K.A. Biological AnthropologyA.K.A. Biological Anthropology

Biological (also called Physical) anthropology is concerned with the anatomy and behavior of monkeys and apes, the physical variation between different human populations, and the biological evolution of the human species.

The specialization of primatology studies the evolution, anatomy, adaptation, and social behavior of primates, the taxonomic order to which humans belong.

We humans or Homo sapiens sapiens share 98% of our genes with chimpanzees.

Another important goal of biological anthropology is to understand how and why the human species evolved from prehuman, apelike ancestors.

The specialization that investigates human biological evolution is known as paleonanthropology.

Paleonanthropologists have reconstructed the history of how humans evolved anatomically.

Through analyzing fossils, comparing DNA sequences and other methods, the outlines of human evolution are becoming clear.

Many scholars agree that the evolutionary line leading to modern humans split from those leading to modern African apes, chimpanzees and gorillas around 5 to 6 million years ago.

Cultural AnthropologyCultural Anthropology

Cultural Anthropology…Cultural Anthropology…

Is the study of contemporary and historically Is the study of contemporary and historically recent activities and culturesrecent activities and cultures

Is the studying firsthand and reporting about Is the studying firsthand and reporting about the ways of living in particular groupsthe ways of living in particular groups

Is understanding the causes and consequences Is understanding the causes and consequences of cultural changeof cultural change

Is enhancing public understanding and Is enhancing public understanding and appreciation of cultural differences and appreciation of cultural differences and multicultural diversitymulticultural diversity

Cultural AnthropologyCultural Anthropology

Culture Emotions and behaviors Languages and communication Religion Technology Political systems Social control Economic patterns

Kinship Sex and marriage Socialization Class Ethnicity Gender Culture change Ethnocentrism

ArchaeologyArchaeology

Prehistoric Archaeology is the study of ancient pre-literate cultures—those that never kept written records of their activities, customs and beliefs.

Although prehistoric peoples lacked writing, some information about their way of life can be recovered from tools, pottery, ornaments, bones, plant pollen, charcoal and other materials they left behind, in or around the ground.

Through careful excavation and laboratory analysis of such material remains, prehistoric archaeologist reconstruct the way people lived in ancient times and trace how human cultures have changed over centuries and even over millennia.

Contrary to the impression given by much North American media, the main goal of digging a particular site is not to recover valuable treasures and other artifacts.

The goal is to understand how people of a particular place lived long ago.

Many archaeologists today are employed not in universities but in museums, public agencies, and for profit corporations.

Provincial highway agencies employ archaeologists to conduct surveys of proposed new routes in order to locate and excavate archaeological sites that will be destroyed.

Linguistic AnthropologyLinguistic Anthropology

Applied LinguisticsApplied Linguistics

Linguistic AnthropologyLinguistic Anthropology

• The human communication process focusing The human communication process focusing on… on…

• the importance of socio-cultural influencesthe importance of socio-cultural influences• nonverbal communicationnonverbal communication• the structure of language the structure of language • The function of languageThe function of language• The history of languages, dialects, pidgins, and The history of languages, dialects, pidgins, and

creolescreoles

Applied Linguistics…Applied Linguistics…

Is the ability to communicate complex Is the ability to communicate complex messages with greater efficiencymessages with greater efficiency

Is concerned with the complex relations Is concerned with the complex relations between language and other aspects of human between language and other aspects of human behaviour and thought e.g.behaviour and thought e.g.

How is language used in various social How is language used in various social contexts? How does one order a drink in contexts? How does one order a drink in Japan? Japan?

What style of speech might one use with What style of speech might one use with people of a higher social order?people of a higher social order?

Does the language we learn while growing up Does the language we learn while growing up have any important effects on how we view have any important effects on how we view the world or how we think and feel?the world or how we think and feel?

Applied AnthropologyApplied Anthropology

Now we now about it…what do we Now we now about it…what do we do with it?do with it?

Applied Anthropologist are problem solvers. They solve problems drawing upon the cultural

context for clues about how to address a problem in ways that will make sense to the people of that culture.

Today, hundreds of anthropologists hold full time positions that allow them to apply their expertise in government agencies, nonprofit and for profit organizations, and international agencies.

Applied anthropologists can be medical anthropologists—investigate the complex interactions among human health, nutrition, social environment and cultural beliefs and practices.

Also development anthropologists—apply their expertise to the solutions of practical human problems especially in the developing world—development anthropologists provide information about communities that help agencies adapt projects to local conditions and local needs.

Development anthropologists working for the World Bank, United Nations Development Program provide policy makers with knowledge of local-level ecological and cultural conditions, so that projects will avoid unanticipated problems and minimize negative impacts.

Research Methods Used Research Methods Used by Anthropologistsby Anthropologists

Just how do they find out about this Just how do they find out about this stuff?stuff?

Research Methods used by Research Methods used by AnthropologistsAnthropologists

• Participation-observation Participation-observation

• Collection of statistics Collection of statistics

• Field interviews Field interviews

• Rigorous compilation of detailed Rigorous compilation of detailed notes notes

• Fieldwork by anthropologists is know Fieldwork by anthropologists is know as “as “ethnographyethnography””

Participation-Participation-observationobservation

• Anthropologists have learned that the Anthropologists have learned that the best way to really get to know another best way to really get to know another society and its culture is to live in it society and its culture is to live in it as an active participant rather than as an active participant rather than simply an observer.  simply an observer. 

• By physically and emotionally By physically and emotionally participating in the social interaction participating in the social interaction of the host society it is possible to of the host society it is possible to become accepted as a member. become accepted as a member. 

Dian FosseyDian Fossey• Dian Fossey believed Dian Fossey believed

that in order to study that in order to study gorillas effectively she gorillas effectively she had to immerse herself had to immerse herself with them in an effort to with them in an effort to get them to accept her get them to accept her presence presence

• She was murdered in She was murdered in her cabin at Karisoke on her cabin at Karisoke on December 26, 1985. Her December 26, 1985. Her death is a mystery yet death is a mystery yet unsolved.unsolved.

Why do we need Anthropologists? Don’t Why do we need Anthropologists? Don’t they tell us what we already know to be they tell us what we already know to be true?true?

• IntuitionIntuition is believing something to be is believing something to be true because a person’s emotions and true because a person’s emotions and logic support it logic support it

• IntuitionIntuition is not proof of fact – this is why is not proof of fact – this is why we need anthropologists – they prove or we need anthropologists – they prove or disprove what we BELIEVE to be true disprove what we BELIEVE to be true

Anthropology & FamilyAnthropology & FamilyOne of the major functions of an One of the major functions of an

Anthropologists is to help us increase our Anthropologists is to help us increase our knowledge regarding knowledge regarding “What it is to be “What it is to be

human?”human?” by noting and comparing cultural by noting and comparing cultural differences.differences.

One of the ways that this is One of the ways that this is done is by examining how done is by examining how

different cultures view different cultures view “FAMILY”.“FAMILY”.

Is a family relationship based on what a Is a family relationship based on what a culture considers a family to be?culture considers a family to be?

KINSHIPKINSHIP• Kinship is a family relationship based on what Kinship is a family relationship based on what

a culture considers a family to be. a culture considers a family to be. • The family unit can vary depending on the The family unit can vary depending on the

culture in which the family lives culture in which the family lives • Through study Anthropologists have Through study Anthropologists have

concluded that human cultures define the concluded that human cultures define the concept of kinship in three ways: concept of kinship in three ways:

•Mating – (marriage)Mating – (marriage)

•Birth – (descent)Birth – (descent)

•Nurturance (adoption)Nurturance (adoption)

How do we track Kinship?How do we track Kinship?

• PatrilinealPatrilineal – – Method of tracing and Method of tracing and organizing families through the father's lineorganizing families through the father's line

• MatrilinealMatrilineal – – Method of tracing and Method of tracing and organizing families through the mother's organizing families through the mother's line.line.

• PatriarchyPatriarchy – – A place in history designed A place in history designed for the convenience of men, and structured for the convenience of men, and structured according to rules that men find according to rules that men find comfortable. Consisting in society male comfortable. Consisting in society male dominate institutions that oppress women. dominate institutions that oppress women.

Anthropological Schools of Anthropological Schools of ThoughtThought

FunctionalismFunctionalism

• The theoretical school of Functionalism The theoretical school of Functionalism considers a culture as an interrelated considers a culture as an interrelated whole, not a collection of isolated traits. whole, not a collection of isolated traits.

• The The FunctionalistsFunctionalists examined how a examined how a particular cultural phase is interrelated particular cultural phase is interrelated with other aspects of the culture and how it with other aspects of the culture and how it affects the whole system of the societyaffects the whole system of the society. .

• The method of functionalism was based on The method of functionalism was based on fieldwork and direct observations of fieldwork and direct observations of societies.societies.

StructuralismStructuralism

• Structuralism assumes that cultural forms Structuralism assumes that cultural forms are based on common properties of the are based on common properties of the human mind. human mind.

• This theory states that humans tend to see This theory states that humans tend to see things in terms of two forces that are things in terms of two forces that are opposite to each other - e.g.. night and day. opposite to each other - e.g.. night and day.

• The goal of Structuralism is to discover The goal of Structuralism is to discover universal principles of the human mind universal principles of the human mind underlying each cultural trait and custom. underlying each cultural trait and custom.

• This theoretical school was almost single This theoretical school was almost single handedly established by Claude Levi-handedly established by Claude Levi-Strauss.Strauss.

Cultural MaterialismCultural Materialism

• Technological and economical factors are Technological and economical factors are the most important ones in molding a the most important ones in molding a society – known as materialism.society – known as materialism.

• DeterminismDeterminism – states that the types of – states that the types of technology and economic methods that technology and economic methods that are adopted always determine (or act as are adopted always determine (or act as deciding factors in forming) the type of deciding factors in forming) the type of society that develops.society that develops.

Schools of ThoughtSchools of Thought

FunctionalismFunctionalism StructuralismStructuralism Cultural MaterialismCultural Materialism

SimilaritiesSimilarities Attempts to Attempts to understand cultures understand cultures

Attempts to understand Attempts to understand cultures cultures

Attempts to understand Attempts to understand cultures cultures

DifferencesDifferences Investigates the Investigates the social functions of social functions of institutions institutions

Seeks out and explains Seeks out and explains rules that are based on rules that are based on binary opposites binary opposites

Explores members’ decisions Explores members’ decisions regarding human reproduction regarding human reproduction and economic production and economic production

CriticismsCriticisms Presents societies as Presents societies as being more stable being more stable than they are a and than they are a and downplays the downplays the negative results of negative results of some practices some practices

Overemphasizes logic Overemphasizes logic and stability in human and stability in human societies; societies societies; societies wouldn’t die out if they wouldn’t die out if they always met the needs of always met the needs of their members their members

Tries to establish laws that Tries to establish laws that apply to all cultures and apply to all cultures and development; observes cultures development; observes cultures through biased eyes through biased eyes