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Social Change: alterations in various aspects of a society over time
Cyclical theory of social change: a historical view of social change in which societies
are seen as rising and then falling or as continuously moving back and forth
between stages of development
Ideational Culture: a type of culture in Pitirim Sorokinǯs cyclical theory of social
change in which people seek truth and knowledge through faith or religion
Sensate culture: a type of culture in Pitirim Sorokinǯs cyclical theory of social change
in which people seek knowledge through science
Idealistic culture: a type of culture in Pitirim Sorokinǯs cyclical theory of social
change that combines both ideational and sensate characteristics
Principle of Immanent Change: according to Pitirim Sorokinǯs cyclical theory of
social change, the principle of immanent change is the natural tendency of a
societyǯs structure to swing back and forth between an ideational and sensate
culture.
Evolutionary Theory of Social Change: a view of social change in which change is
seen as a process that moves toward increasing complexity.
Equilibrium Theory of Social Change: Talcott Parsonsǯs view of social change in
which society is likened to a 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
Conflict Theory of Social Change: theory that view social change as the result of
conflicts between groups with opposing interests.
Explaining Social Change
Alterations in various aspects of a society over time
Cell phones, laptops, home shopping network
Explanations for social change:
-? cyclical, evolutionary, equilibrium, and conflict
Cyclical Theory
Views change from a historical perspective
atural tendency to move through stages of development. Ex. Born, mature, decline
in age, die
Change is part of a continuing process
Oswald Spengler Ȃ questioned connection between social change and progress.
-? stages of childhood, youth, adulthood, and old age
Pitrim Sorokin Ȃ all societies fluctuate between extreme forms of cultures
-? ideational culture Ȃ truth and knowledge found through faith and religion
-? sensate culture Ȃ seek knowledge through science
-? idealistic culture Ȃ combination of ideational and sensate
m? External factors (war) can cause dramatic shifts from one culture
to another
m? Immanent change Ȃ natural social change
Evolutionary Theory
Change is a process that moves in one direction-increasing complexity
As individuals adapt to social and physical conditions, society is pushed forward in
development
Differentiate between early and modern social evolutionists
Early Evolutionary Theories
1800ǯs Ȃ societies progress through distinct stages toward complexity
Each stage brings social improvements with the complexities
Comte Ȃ three-stage theory of development
1.? seek explanations of events through the supernatural
2.? answers sought through religion
3.? understand events through science
Modern Evolutionary Theories
Do not claim the distinct stages of development theory
Societies have a tendency to be more complex over time
Change results from many sources and paths
o assumption that change always produces progress or that change means the
same thing in all societies
Very important Ȃ explain WHY societies change. Ex. Lenski and Lenski Ȃ changes
take place in the economic base and technology sector of a society
Equilibrium Theory
Parsons Ȃ follows functionalists ideas; change in one part of the system produces
changes in all other parts
Social system
eed to maintain stability
Disruption to one part causes adjustment of other parts
System changes by need to create balance or equilibrium
-? differentiation
-? integration
Conflict Theory
Change results from conflict between groups with opposing interests
Involve disputes over power and wealth
Conflict is natural, therefore, change is inevitable
Karl Marx and class conflict
-? violence is necessary along with revolution/dictator to transform to
communism
Ralf Dahrendorf and social conflict
- disagrees that class conflict and revolution cause change
religious, political, racial, labor conflicts can exist
-? use of interest groups
Virtual Communities
ew technology drives social change
How? E-communities
Communication in spite of any possible stenotypes of race, gender, age, national
origin, physical appearance, handicaps
Used for transmission of ideas
Disadvantages (too focused on computer and not focusing on social skills)
The American Civil Rights Movement
Segregation issues
1940-1960s Ȃ boycotts, marches, demonstrations to publicize seriousness of
problems
Success of civil rights movements
Voting Rights Act (1965) Ȃ 100 African-Americans in office, 1989 Ȃ more that 6,800
elected officials
