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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