Define the concept social change
Theories of social change
Discuss the characteristics of social change
Discuss the following sources of social change
Cultural innovation
2. 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
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Sources of Social Change
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
12. 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
13. 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
14. Sources of Social Change
POPULATION
Rapid growth destructive social change
Results in hunger, poor housing, poverty, political conflict,
inadequate health services, job competition,
unemployment
15. The concept Modernity
Refers to social patterns linked to increasing
industrialization and modernization to the
process of social change initiated by
industrialization
16. Dimensions of Modernization
according to Berger
The 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
17. 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
18. References
Bhatt, A. (2012). Complete information on social
change and its characteristics. Retrieved on 14
October 2015. Available at:
http://www.preservearticles.com/copyright-
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preservearticlescom.html
Du Toit, D.A. & Van Staden S.J. (2014). Nursing
Sociology. 4th Edition. Pretoria: Van Schaik