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