The four key elements that affect social change that are described in this chapter are
the environment, technology, social institutions, and population
.
It is a generic term describing one of the categorical
processes
. It only suggests a difference through time in the object to which it is applied.
Social changes
are of various types and can be explained by different terms such as Growth, Progress, Evolution, Revolution,- Adaptation, and Accommodation, etc.
- (1) Change is Social:
- (2) Universal:
- (3) Continuous:
- (4) Inevitable:
- (5) Temporal:
- (6) Degree or rate of change is not uniform:
- (7) Social Change may be planned or unplanned:
- (8) Social change is multi-causal:
- The Reformation.
- The abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
- The Civil Rights movement.
- The feminist movement.
- The LGBTQ+ rights movement.
- The green movement.
- Physical Environment: Certain geographic changes sometimes produce great social change. …
- Demographic (biological) Factor: …
- Cultural Factor: …
- Ideational Factor: …
- Economic Factor: …
- Political Factor:
Summary. There are numerous and varied causes of social change. Four common causes, as recognized by social scientists, are
technology, social institutions, population, and the environment
. All four of these areas can impact when and how society changes.
-Social change leads to
increased awareness and more understanding due to the presence of more information in the community
, which enables people to make informed decisions based on the scenario at hand.
- Share Important Information and News. …
- Build an Engaged Community. …
- Provide Training and Education. …
- Receive Ground-Level Reports. …
- Take Immediate Action. …
- Raise Funds. …
- Attend an Online University.
One definition of social transformation is the
process by which an individual alters the socially ascribed social status of their parents into a socially achieved status for themselves
(status transformation). … The first occurs with the individual, the second with the social system.
Social change is
way human interactions and relationships transform cultural and social institutions over time
, having a profound impact of society. … Sociologists define social change as changes in human interactions and relationships that transform cultural and social institutions.
Social change refers
to the changes in the structure and functions of a society
. It includes changes in nature, social institutions, social behaviors, or social relations.
- Technology.
- Population.
- War and conquest.
- Diffusion.
- Values and beliefs.
- Physical environment.
Among the general theoretical explanations offered for understanding social change are
geographical, biological, economic and cultural
. All these we have discussed in the previous section.
Social change is often found to have negative impacts on traditional community organization. In particular, communities experiencing rapid social change often demonstrate
heightened perceptions of crime problems
and social disorder.
Social change is also caused by
tension and conflict
. Structural strain, deprivation, cultural revitalisation have been the major causes of conflict. Again social division based on class, caste, gender, ethnicity, estate, etc. have also been important sources of conflict in society.
Some of the more important of these changes include
commercialization, increasing division of labour
, growth of production, formation of nation-states, bureaucratization, growth of technology and science, secularization, urbanization, spread of literacy, increasing geographic and social mobility, and growth of …
