CHAPTER 18

Section 1: Explaining Social Change

Section 2: Modernization

Social Change and Modernization

SECTION 1

Question:What are the four theories of social change?

Explaining Social Change

SECTION 1

Explaining Social Change

Theory Description Criticisms

THEORIES OF SOCIAL CHANGETHEORIES OF SOCIAL CHANGE

Cyclical Spengler—four stages: childhood, youth, adulthood, old age Sorokin—fluctuation between ideational culture (spiritual)

and sensate culture (scientific), with idealistic culture in the middle

focused on describing what is, instead of why things happen

Evolutionary early—the progress through distinct stages toward complexity

modern—tendency to go along many paths toward increasing complexity

biased toward the West; does not explain why change occurs

does not explain short-term changes or wars

Equilibrium Parsons—occurs as society adapts to maintain stability after a change in one area; involves differentiation and integration

does not explain wide-spread social change with-in or between societies

Conflict Marx—results from class conflict and revolution Dahrendorf—results from social conflicts of all

forms

does not always lead to revolution

does not explain change without conflict

SECTION 2

Question:What are the positive and negative consequences of modernization on social life?

Modernization

SECTION 2

Modernization

EFFECTS OF MODERNIZATIONEFFECTS OF MODERNIZATION

Positive

increase in standard of living longer life expectancies lower birthrates higher rates of literacy decrease in economic and

social inequality more personal comforts improved infrastructure electricity and communication

technology establishment of educational

institutions

Negative

loss of some traditional authority for the family and religion

weaker social relationships and increased feelings ofsocial isolation

moral and ethical questions some environmental problems some health problems

Chapter Wrap-Up

1. According to Pitirim Sorokin, how do ideational and sensate cultures differ?

2. What are the major features of the evolutionary theory of social change?

3. Briefly describe the equilibrium theory of social change. Why does this theory appeal to some sociologists?

4. Why do conflict theorists view social change as inevitable?

5. Why did modernization theory have a strong following in the 1950s and 1960s?

6. What moral and ethical issues does modern technology pose?

1. According to Pitirim Sorokin, how do ideational and sensate cultures differ?

2. What are the major features of the evolutionary theory of social change?

3. Briefly describe the equilibrium theory of social change. Why does this theory appeal to some sociologists?

4. Why do conflict theorists view social change as inevitable?

5. Why did modernization theory have a strong following in the 1950s and 1960s?

6. What moral and ethical issues does modern technology pose?

CHAPTER 18