Page 294 - DSOC201_SOCIAL_STRUCTURE_AND_SOCIAL_CHANGE_ENGLISH

Unit 13: Factors of Social Change

Self-Assessment Notes
1. Answer the following questions:
(i) Is the rate of social change the same for all societies? (Tick the correct answer). Yes/No
(ii) Modern technology: (Tick the correct answer).
(a) does neither cause good nor bad things to humanity.
(b) causes only good things to humanity.
(c) also causes problems and anxiety to humanity.
(iii) Mention any three reasons of the difficulty in the prediction of future of human society.
(Answer in about three lines.)
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13.7 Summary

• Social change is a universal phenomenon that takes place in our lives. Social change is generally
understood as the process of occurrence of significant alterations in the organization and/or
structure and functions of social life. Social transformation is considered as a form of social
change that occurs in a radical and abrupt manna.
• There are various approaches for understanding social change. Evolutionary theories hold the
view that all societies pass through a similar sequence of developmental stages until it culminates
in some final stage. They see social change as progress and growth that is good for the society.
Cyclical theories assume that societies pass through a cycle of changes- grow, reach a peak of
development and then decay- and repeats the cycle again in the same pattern.
• Structural-functional theories view that there is stability and order in the society, but changes
do occur occasionally. Conflict theorists believe that conflict occasionally arise in societies to
correct adverse social developments which outcome would be better than the old systems.
• Social change is caused by various factors- biological (non-human and human), geographic,
technological, and socio-cultural factors. We also find variant rates of social change depending
on various conditions and situations. Sociologists are also concerned about the various impacts
of change on human society. While some impacts are commendable, there are several impacts
of social change that are disturbing and destructive in nature. Then, there is also the question
of whether or not social change is predictable. The answer would be yes, but to a limited extent.
13.8 Key-Words

1. Bureaucracy : A hierarchical and formally organised structural arrangement of an
organization based on the division of labour, authority, written rules
of conduct, and specialisation.
2. Capitalism : A socio-economic system where commodities are produced and
owned especially by the individuals and competitively sold for profit.
3. Discovery : A shared human perception of an aspect of reality which already exists.
4. Industrial Society : A society in which goods are produced primarily through machine-
factory methods of production.
5. Population Change : A change in the number of people in a society, or the characteristics of
the population such as age or sex.
6. Progress : Social or cultural change that are considered desirable according to
some set of values.
7. Social Movement : A collective act to promote or resist change.

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