Social Change

1. Social Change Content Standard 6: Examine social change over time and the various factors that lead to these changes

2. Social Change • Alterations in various aspects of a society over time

3. Social Change

4. Social Change

5. Social Change • Sociologists have suggested numerous theories to explain the process of social change • Four Broad Categories: • Cyclical theory, evolutionary theory, equilibrium theory, conflict theory

6. Cyclical Theory • Views change from historical perspective • Gain popularity during periods of extreme social upheaval because people often view events as beyond their control

7. Activity • Students are to create 10 examples and compare/contrast social change

8. Write about it • How have values and beliefs changed over time in society? What are examples? Describe them. • How has technology changed? What are examples and what are their impact? • How has the population of members in society changed? What is the impact? • How have the physical environment of society changed over the last 1000 years? • How have wars/conquests changed? What is the impact on society and provide examples.

9. Oswald Spengler • German historian, deeply troubled by WWI • Decline of the West: Suggested that societies pass through four stages: • Childhood, youth, adulthood, old age • Process is inevitable and like other great civilizations, it was bound to decline and disappear

10. Pitirim Sorokin • Russian American Sociologist • All societies fluctuate between two extreme forms of culture • Ideational Culture: Truth and knowledge are sought through faith or religion • Sensate Culture: People seek knowledge through science • Idealistic Culture: Few societies; middle point of two extremes

11. Pitirim Sorokin • External factors (war or contact with other societies) can hasten a society’s shift from one culture to another • Principle of Immanent Change: Social Change, the natural tendency of a society’s structure to swing back and forth between and ideational and sensate culture

12. Evolutionary Theory of Social Change • Views change as a process that moves in one direction • As members of society attempt to adapt to social and physical conditions in their environment, they push the society forward

13. Equilibrium Theory of Social Change • Talcott Parson’s view of social change in which society is likened to living organism. • Change in one part of the social system produces change in all other parts as the system attempts to regain balance, or equilibrium

14. Conflict Theory of Social Change • Change results from conflicts between groups with opposing interests

15. Recipes for Social Change Casserole • Students will consider the best elements of each social theory and any elements of their own and create “recipe” for social change. • Treat elements as “ingredients” and provide amounts and preparation instructions

16. The Role of Youth • How do the various types of collectivities differ and what explanation for collective behavior have been proposed? • http://www.nytimes.com/video/2011/12/04/opinion/100000001204421/the-role-of-youth.html

17. Collective Behavior The relatively spontaneous social behavior that occurs when people try to develop common solutions to unclear situations

18. Characteristics of Collectivities • Limited Interaction • Unclear Norms • Limited Unity • Collectivity: A gathering of people who have limited interaction with one another and do not share clearly defined, conventional norms or a sense of group unity

19. Types of Collective Behavior • Crowd: • Temporary gathering of people who are close enough proximity to interact • Herbert Blumer4 types of crowds: • Casual: least organized, interact little • Conventional: structured, act according to established rules of behavior • Expressive: No goal or purpose; emotionally charged • Acting: Violent; emotions more intense

20. Assignment • How might different types of crowds change or transform into other types? • Provide an example and EXPLAIN why it is considered that type of crowd

21. Sources of Social Change The modern world changes rapidly; each week brings new material goods, new styles of dress, new ways of doing things and new ideas

22. Values and Beliefs • Changes in values and beliefs therefore, can have far-reaching consequences for society • These consequences are particularly noticeable when new values and beliefs are part of a larger ideology • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URxwe6LPvkM

23. Values and Beliefs • Ideology: • System of beliefs or ideas that justifies the social, moral, religious, political, or economic interests held by a group or by society • Social Movement: • Long-term conscious effort to promote or prevent social change

24. Technology • Social change occurs when people find new ways to manipulate their environment • The knowledge and tools that people use to manipulate their environment

25. Population • A change in the size of the population may bring about changes in the culture • Affects the economy • Demands for goods and services

26. Assignment • How are social movements influenced by various forms of technology? • What are examples of various forms of technology? • How are social movements influenced by a change in the population? • What are examples? How is culture affected? • You WILL have a quiz tomorrow over material covered from unit!!!!!!