Definitions Flashcards
Continuity
The persistance or consistent existence of cultural elements in a society across time. It can also be reffered to the maintainence of the traditions and social structures that bring stability to a society.
Change
The alercation or modification of cultural elements in a society.
Modernisation
A process of dynamic social change resulting from the diffusion and adoption of the charecertistics of apparently more advanced societies by other societies that are apparently less advanced.
Sustainability
The required development to meet current human needs, whether economic, social or environmental, without jeopardising the needs of future generations or the health of the planet for all species depending on it for existence.
Tradition
The body of cultural practices and beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation, often orally and through behavioural modelling, that represent stability and continuity of the society or culture.
Beliefs
A set of opinions, convictions or ideas we believe in as the truth.
Values
Deeply held ideas and beliefs that guide our thinking, language and behaviour.
Empowerment
A social process that gives authority to people at micro level, groups at meso level and to insitutions at macro level allowing them to think, behave, take action, control and make decisions.
Westernisation
A social process where the values, customs and practices of Western industrial capitalism are adopted to form the basis of cultural change.
Cooperation
The ability of individual members of a group to work together to achieve a common goal that is in the group’s interests and contributes to the continued existstence of the group.
Conflict
A perceived incompatibility of goals or actions
Bureacracy
A complex structure of offices, tasks, rules and principles of organisation that are employed by ALL large scale institutions to coordinate the work of their personal
