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Social Change

Social Change . Social change as a sociological term is defined as, alterations in basic structures of a social group, institution or society. Social change includes:

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Social Change

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  1. Social Change • Social change as a sociological term is defined as, alterations in basic structures of a social group, institution or society. Social change includes: • Change in social structure as the nature, the social institutions, the social behavior or the social relations of a society or community • When behavior patterns change in large numbers, and this change is visible and sustained • once there is deviance from culturally-inherited values, rebellion against the established system may result, resulting in a change in the social order. • Any event or action that affects a group of individuals who have shared values or characteristics.

  2. Social Change Sociology • Focus on massive changes or shifts in behaviours and attitudes of groups and societies • Tend to focus on analyzing patterns of behaviour • Believe behaviour is patterned and therefore predictable

  3. Social Change Sociology • Sociologists analyze norms (customary types of behaviours) which make it possible to predict if a society will accept social change.

  4. Causes Of Social ChangeThe Sociological Perspective There are numerous reasons for social change in a given society. Throughout history, societies have undergone substantial changes for a variety of reasons Charismatic Leadership It is clear that leadership change can cause significant social change in a given society. A charismatic leader has the ability redirect the social values of a given society. An example would be the liberal leadership of Pierre Trudeau during the 1960s in changing laws to reflect changing value systems in regards to homosexuality, abortion, and marriage.

  5. Causes Of Social Change 2) Technological and Economic Changes • Agricultural advancements such as irrigation, the plow, and the cotton gin are responsible for surpluses of food, which lead to population growth and urbanization. The computer is a revolutionary invention which is the major piece of technology in contemporary culture. What would life be like without the Blackberry, Iphone, MSN, or Facebook?

  6. Causes of Social Change 3) Industrialization • The process of moving from an agrarian based economy in which the primary product is food to an industrial or post industrial economy in which the primary product is goods, services and information. The process of industrialization has had substantial impact in causing change in various societies. It is clear that industrialization leads to changes in: a. Work – people work outside of the home/community, which lead to changes in gender (value of, child care, value of labor).   b. Alienation (feelings of dissatisfaction in the workplace)

  7. Causes of Social Change 4) Modernization: The process of moving from an agrarian to industrial society. Modern societies are usually characterized by larger role of government in society and bureaucracy to run governments. Included here are the forming of social institutions to regulate behavior. For instance, the legal system has been developed by society to create laws which sanction and regulate behaviour.

  8. Causes of Social Change 5) Urbanization: The process of industrialization led to urbanization as these societies migrated to live in urban areas rather than rural areas. This migration typically results from economic opportunities (people move to a city for jobs which leads to population growth. Characteristics of urban populations: • More diversity and independence • Weaker social attachments – higher crime • Secularization • Mass communication systems If urbanization occurs too fast, infrastructure cannot support population (transportation, public health issues, housing, schools, emergency services, jobs). This can result in poverty and class conflict. Class conflict and poverty may also result if large urban areas experience loss of jobs.

  9. SOCIAL CHANGE ANTHROPOLOGY • Tends to look at cultural change • Was cultural change caused by a change in society’s leadership? • Was it caused by shift in values of people? • Is technological change a factor in cultural change?

  10. SOCIAL CHANGE ANTHROPOLOGY • Why has change occurred in Iraq? • International pressure • Technological innovation • Globalization • Leadership change (pro- democratic, pro- American)

  11. SOCIAL CHANGE PSYCHOLOGY • Focus on changes in people’s behaviours and attitudes. • What must people do to change their behaviour? • What type of therapy should be used on people with mental disorders?

  12. SOCIAL CHANGE PSYCHOLOGY • Psychologists research on how attitudes (what they think) impact behaviour (what they do)

  13. SOCIAL CHANGE PSYCHOLOGY • Scenario- A person has a drinking problem. He feels that there is no problem with drinking as much as he does. This behaviour has often led to drinking and driving. • What should be done to eliminate this behaviour?

  14. SOCIAL CHANGE PSYCHOLOGY • The Answer • CHANGE THE ATTITUDE • Persuasion • How does media change our attitude? • Are friends more important in changing behaviour? • E.G. Interventions

  15. SOCIAL CHANGE PSYCHOLOGY • How do we change people’s minds? • Cognitive Consistency • Goal is to create attitudes that do not conflict with each other • Conflict in attitudes causes discomfort and improper behaviour • For instance, you continue to smoke out of enjoyment but you believe that smoking causes cancer--- as this attitude becomes consistent, the behaviour should change

  16. SOCIAL CHANGE PSYCHOLOGY • THEORIES OF ATTITUDE CHANGE • Cognitive Dissonance Theory • The only way to reduce dissonance is change behaviour (give up smoking) or reinforce attitudes • E.G. The Smoking Scenario • To regain consistency in your attitude, you will avoid conflict • Smoking in front of friend who opposes smoking • Avoid reading negative articles about smoking • Tell yourself it will not happen to you

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