Chapter 17- Social Change

Jamie Cheong, Husna Formoli, Kevin George, Ryan Thomure

FUNCTIONALISM & SOCIAL CHANGE

I. What is Functionalism?● Definition: the theory that states society is a system of interconnected

parts that work together in harmony to maintain a state of balance and social equilibrium for the whole.

● Comprised of manifest (intended) and latent(hidden) functions.● “Deviance”-any behavior that violates social norms● Strain Theory by Robert Merton in 1968

○ Deviance is more likely to occur when a gap exists between cultural goals and the ability to achieve them by legitimately.

● Control Theory by Travis Hirschi in 1969○ Compliance with social norms requires strong bonds between individuals and society

II. Functionalist View: Social Change

● Social Change refers to any significant alteration over time in behavior patterns and cultural values and norms.○ Occurs when members of a society adopt new behaviors.

● Deviance promotes needed social change.○ Example: Suffragists in the 1900s, Prison Riots.

● Strain Theory○ Social Change is reliant on the existence of the gap.

● Control Theory○ Social Change is reliant on the strength of an individual's bond to society.

Clip #1- Hacksaw Ridge

Scene Set-Up

In this scene, Desmond Doss is taken to a court martial over the accusation of insubordination.

Clip #1- Hacksaw Ridge

Scene Wrap Up

This scene showed how deviance and control theory can factor into social change on a microscopic level.

CONFLICT THEORY & SOCIAL CHANGE

What is Conflict Theory?

● The conflict perspective views society as composed of different groups

competing for power and limited resources.

● Conflict theory originated in the work of Karl Marx

● Example: Who benefits from the current higher educational system in

the U.S.? The wealthy, because higher education in the U.S. is not free.

The educational system often screens out poorer individuals, not

because they can’t compete academically, but because they can’t afford

to pay for their education.

Conflict Theory Cont.

● Conflict theory states that tensions and conflicts arise when resources,

status, and power are unevenly distributed between groups in society.

● These conflicts become the engine for social change.

Clip #2 Intro

● Martin Luther King, Jr’s speech about the civil rights movement

Clip#2 Wrap-up

● Martin Luther King, Jr talks about inequality and how social change can happen.

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM & SOCIAL CHANGE

Symbolic Interactionism

● Introduced by George Herbert Mead, 1920s● Can be traced back Max Weber● Addresses the subjective meanings that people impose on

objects● People act on more than what is objectively true● Ex. Smoking

Demo #1: Envelopes and Actions

● Students must form groups of 3-4 people with whom they have never interacted.

● Each group will pick a numbered envelope between 1-10.● Groups will have 10mins to discuss the meaning of the content

of their envelope.● Each group will then present to the class

○ List of meanings○ Action○ Why

Demo #1: Envelopes and Actions

● Information vs. Meaning○ Exposed to a lot of meaningless info○ Knowledge does not inherently create interest of meaning

● Filtering● Roles

○ In groups○ In society○ Ex. Elections

● Concept of Interactions

SECTION MAIN IDEAS & NOTES

Social Change

● Social change occurs when many members of the society adopt new behaviors that must have long-term and important consequences○ It is difficult to predict how a society will change because the change depends on the nature

of the existing culture○ Some societies change faster than others due to several factors: social processes and

specific factors

● Cultures and societies experience social processes that result in significant changes○ Three important social processes are discovery, invention, and diffusion

Social Processes

● Discovery- something is learned or reinterpreted (ex.shape of the earth, salt, fire)

● Invention- the creation of something new from items or processes that already exist○ The pace of social change through

invention is closely tied to how complex the society or culture already is

○ The more complex and varies a society, the more rapidly it will change (ex. Time between reaching moon and first airplane flight vs humans appearing and airplanes)

● When one group borrows something from another group, change occurs through diffusion○ The more contact a group has with another

group, the more likely it is that objects or ideas will be exchanged (ex. Food, norms, values)

○ Before it is widely accepted, a borrowed element must harmonize with the group culture (ex. kilts)

○ Diffusion may involve using only part of a borrowed characteristic or trait

Major Forces that Lead to Change

● Technology- knowledge and hardware (tools) that are used to achieve practical goals

● Technology is a prime promoter of social change○ Ex. The Industrial Revolution, the silicon

chip, the Internet■ Effects are great:

telecommunications technology allows many to work from home, but limits human interaction

● The Natural Environment○ Interaction with the natural environment

has transformed American life■ Ex. the vast territory west of the

thirteen colonies permitted the nation to expand to the Pacific, natural disasters

■ Ocean→helped shape cultural identity and values, also negatives

Major Forces that Lead to Change

● Revolution and War○ Revolution- involves the sudden and complete overthrow of an existing social

or political order, often accompanied by violence● In most cases, the new social order created by a successful revolution is likely to be

a compromise between the new and old○ Ex. Chinese revolution promised liberation from sexism, situation improves

but still fall from it● War- organized, armed conflict that occurs within a society or between nations● Social change is created through diffusion because wars break down barriers

between societies, bringing people from different societies together○ Leads to adoption of new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving

● Wars also promote invention and discovery (ex. Atomic bomb)