socio cultural change (1)
TRANSCRIPT
Prepared by Monica San Juan
Content
Definition of Social Change Sources of Social Change Characteristics of Social Change Theories on Socio-Cultural Change
– Evolutionary Theory– Functionalist Theory– Conflict Theory– Cyclical Theory
Education and Socio Cultural Change
Social Change
“Everyone over the age of forty is an
immigrant”- Margaret Mead
What is Social Change?
Significant alteration over time in behavior patterns and culture (W. Moore 1967)
Any modification in the social organization of a society in any of its social institutions or social rules
Sources of Social Change
1. Internal sources factors that originate within a specific society
that singly or in combination with other factors produce alterations in social institutions and social structure.
E.g. technological innovation, ideological shifts
Sources of Social Change
2. External sources of social change are events that originate
outside of a society to bring about change to social institutions or structures
E.g. cultural diffusion, forced acculturation
Characteristics of Social Change
1. Social change is uneven.
2. The onset and consequences of social change are often unforeseen.
3. Social change often creates conflict.
4. The direction of social change is not random.
Evolutionary Theory
Society is viewed as moving in a definite direction.
Auguste Comte (founder of sociology) Saw human societies as moving forward in their
thinking, from mythology to the scientific method
Emile Durkheim Society progressed from simple to more complex
forms of social organization.
Socio Cultural Theories
Functionalist Theory
Viewed changes as a means of maintaining society’s equilibrium
emphasize what maintains society, not what changes it
Socio Cultural Theories
Four Processes of Social Change
1. Differentiation Increasing complexity of social organization
2. Adaptive upgrading Social institutions become more specialized
in their purposes
Socio Cultural Theories
Functionalist Theory
Parsons (1902-1979) Viewed society as being in a natural state of
equilibrium (stability)
• Equilibrium model As changes occur in one part of society,
adjustments must be made in other parts.
Socio Cultural Theories
Functionalist Theory
Technology is the primary cause of social change.
Altering institutions will threaten societal equilibrium.
Socio Cultural Theories
Four Processes of Social Change
3. Inclusion
4. Value generalization Development of new values that tolerate and
legitimate a greater range of acitivities
Socio Cultural Theories
Conflict Theory
Conflict is an inherent component of social relations.
Economic conflict between social classes is the cause of social change.
Social institutions and practices persist because powerful groups have the ability to maintain status quo.
Socio Cultural Theories
Conflict Theory
Social change can correct social injustices and inequalities.
Socio Cultural Theories
Cyclical Theory: Three Phases
1. Idealistic culture - society wrestles with the tension between the ideal and the practical.
2. Ideational culture - emphasizes faith and new forms of spirituality.
3. Sensate culture - stresses partial approaches to reality and involves the hedonistic.
Socio Cultural Theories
Cyclical Theory
Societies go through a life cycle or life span. The necessity for growth is the primary cause
of social change.
Socio Cultural Theories
Causes of Social Change
Collective Behavior Cultural Diffusion Technological
Innovation
Social Movements Inequality Population War
Diversity and Social Change
Diversity is both a cause and an effect of social change.
Diversity as a cause of change is exemplified in immigration effects.
Diversity as an effect of change is exemplified by unequal outcomes of modernization on different ethnic groups.
Roles of Education
major agency of socialization, and teachers and educational institutions as socializing agents
a flame or light of knowledge which dispelled the darkness of ignorance (teach liberal philosophy through education for changing society)
channel for the spread of modernity
Roles of Education in Social Change
Thomas Jefferson Education was essential so that ordinary citizens
could participate in the social change, defending and enhancing their liberties.
“the diffusion of knowledge among the people” and the idea that “a little rebellion now and then is a good thing.” are two roles of education in the society
3 Roles of Education
the agent of change the content of change the social background of those who are sought
to be changed
Roles of Education in Social Change
Paulo Freire Students are “agents of curiosity” in a “quest
for the ‘why’ of things,” for education provides possibility and hope for the future of society
education is a process of continuous group discussion (dialogue) that enables people to acquire collective knowledge they can use to change society.
Roles of Education in Social Change
Paulo Freire students must be engaged in explicitly
critiquing social injustice and actively organizing to challenge oppression to achieve success in the society