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Culture, Society & Technology

Culture, Society & Technology. Technological Determinism vs. Social Constructivism. Today…. What exactly IS technology, and why are social scientists interested in it?

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Culture, Society & Technology

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  1. Culture, Society & Technology Technological Determinism vs. Social Constructivism

  2. Today… • What exactly IS technology, and why are social scientists interested in it? • Social Constructivism vs. Technological Determinism: Does society influence technology or does technology influence society? (or both…?)

  3. Technology • Technology: Universe of tools, means and methods we use to interact with environment • Includes anything that helps us do things we could not otherwise do, or lets us do them cheaper, faster, easier

  4. Social Studies ofScience and Technology • Also known as “Science and technology studies,” “Science, technology and society studies” • 1960s: social movement with interest in controlling technology due to perceived impact on society • 1980s: academic field with focus on creating knowledge rather than informing policy • Encompasses many different fields including several of the social sciences, all united by interest in intersection of society, technology, culture

  5. The Relationship Between Technology & Society Technology  SocietyTechnological Determinism – Hard versionSociety is influenced by technologyTechnology  SocietySocial Constructivism – Hard versionTechnology is influenced by society Technology  Society“Soft” Determinism or “Weak” Constructivism Technology both influences and is influenced by society

  6. Technological Determinism • Technology influences society, but society does not influence technology • Technological development is an autonomous process independent of society • Technological, not social, factors determine success of a technology; the inherent superiority of a technology leads to its success • Technology develops in a linear fashion

  7. Example of Technological Determinism

  8. Example of Technological Determinism

  9. Social Constructivism • Society influences technology • Technology is a dimension of society • Technologies do not succeed due to superiority alone – also social factors, relevant social groups • Technological development is not linear

  10. Example of Social Constructivism

  11. Video: AOL Commercial - 1995

  12. Genevieve Bell • Anthropologist at Intel – Interaction and Exeperience Research Director • Technologies are adapted by cultures to support EXISTING patterns of behavior

  13. Genevieve Bell • Anthropologist at Intel – Interaction and Exeperience Research Director • Technologies are adapted by cultures to support EXISTING patterns of behavior

  14. Sherry Turkle • Psychologist at MIT – Professor of Social Studies of Science and Technology • People are increasingly dependent on technologies, andincreasingly disconnected from each other

  15. Sherry Turkle • Psychologist at MIT – Professor of Social Studies of Science and Technology • People are increasingly dependent on technologies, andincreasingly disconnected from each other

  16. Video: Sherry Turkle, Connected, but Alone?

  17. Next time… The Individual & SocietyConformity & DeviancePersonality & Culture

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