Intro to Challenge & Change Flashcards
What is SOCIAL CHANGE?
Defined as “transformations in the beliefs, social interactions, practices, organisation, and structures of society.”
ANTHROPOLOGY; Definition
- Study of the human species and its origins
- Development of language and culture
PSYCHOLOGY; Definition
- Study of the human mind
- Behaviours, emotions, cognitive processes, and personality
SOCIOLOGY; Definition
Study of society and social behaviour
PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION; Definition
Qualitative research in which the researcher interacts with the researchees in studying their culture.
QUALITATIVE DATA; Definition
- description and comparison
- information expressed in words or actions
- considered more objective
QUANTITATIVE DATA; Definition
- numbers
- closed questions
- considered more objective
QUALITATIVE DATA; Examples
interviews, observations
QUANTITATIVE DATA; Examples
surveys, lab-based observations
MACROSOCIOLOGY
The analysis of large scale groups, social systems, and social structures. (eg, political systems, religious institutes, economic systems, etc…).
PARADIGM SHIFTS
Paradigm: a model or pattern which exists in the world, until a new paradigm shifts the belief system. When a new set of ideas are strong enough to affect the ways both individuals and societies see reality, the resultant changes are called a “paradigm shift”.
PARADIGM SHIFTS; Examples
Galileo’s heliocentric model, green compost bins.
EXTERNAL FACTORS AFFECTING CHANGE
Physical environment—climate, weather, vegetation, animal populations, humans—all affect the environment. When there is change in this, it causes a ripple effect on everything else.
What causes POPULATION SHIFTS?
- Wars
- Famines
- Natural disasters
- Political instability
What does PROXIMITY cause?
- Inter-cultural contact
Exchange of ideas between cultures is high in a globalised world, as is the resulting change
COLLECTIVIST STRUCTURE
- conformity, unity, cooperation
- everyone works for the good of society
INDIVIDUALIST STRUCTURE
- social behaviour guided by personal rights/freedoms
- everyone works for the good of themselves
What are the THREE STRUCTURAL LEVELS?
Infrastructure, Structure, and Superstructure
INFRASTRUCTURE
- How people attend to their basic needs; technological, economic, and demographic factors of a culture.
- Basis for the two other levels.
- Changes in infrastructure will influence organisation and ideology of a culture.
STRUCTURE
- How the culture is organised;
- political systems, laws, families
SUPERSTRUCTURE
- The ideology of a culture;
- beliefs and values
CULTURAL MATERIALISM; Definition
- Development of culture determined by physical materials and economic activity
- Cultural change occurs within the three levels (infrastructure, structure, and superstructure)
Who invented CULTURAL MATERIALISM?
Marvin Harris
FUNCTIONALISM; Definition
- Beliefs exist and function to meet the needs of a societal majority
- Change occurs by consensus, based on norms
Who invented FUNCTIONALISM?
Bronislaw Malinowski
LEARNING THEORY; Definition
- Interpretation of the world can be altered through learning
- This can lead to permanent behavioural change
- Certain behaviours are based in childhood experiences, and those behaviours are both predictable and modifiable.
Who invented LEARNING THEORY?
John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner
PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY; Definition
- Changing behaviours and motivations through understanding of both the conscious and unconcious mind
- Behaviour can be negatively affected by inability to balance both parts of the conscience
- Human development is determined by events in early childhood
Who invented PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY?
Sigmund Freud
STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
Social structures exist to serve the needs of society and its members
CONFLICT THEORY
Power is the basis for relationships in society and is a source for certain conflicts
FEMINIST THEORY
Some social conflict is created by inequality related to gender
SYMBOLIC INTERACTION
One’s role in society is determined by their interpretation and reaction to it. Society changes based on how you interact with it.
SOCIAL EXCHANGE
Weighs the costs and benefits of participating in certain groups
EMILE DURKHEIM
- Social change is inevitable and follows a predictable path
- Society becomes more complex as it becomes more diverse
KARL MARX
- Social change is the result of conflict between social classes battling for power and economic resources
- Social change goes through stages to arrive at a goal
MAX WEBER
- Culture is the predominant force in shaping human actions
- Subjecting all aspects of human behaviour and social relationships to administration (rationalism) leads to an “iron cage” around a society, and allows it to be dictated by bureaucracy
TECHNOLOGY
Far reaching implications for society and and social change. It impacts values, social structures and customs. It will continue to drive “progress” in society.
Fundamental questions of ANTHROPOLOGY
How was human culture developed? What symbols do cultures share? How was language established?
Fundamental questions of PSYCHOLOGY
Why do humans behave as they do? How does personality develop? What is intelligence? How can we control our emotions?
Fundamental questions of SOCIOLOGY
What function does society serve in the lives of individuals? What is the role of social institutions? How do individuals adapt to the roles and values of certain groups?
