Nature of Technology

Question 1

Technology is (3)?

Answer 1

use/application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes or
applications and/or the change and manipulation of the human environment.

Question 2

includes the tools/objects/artifacts and
processes/techniques/methods/practices (the way we do things) that extend our
abilities to change our world to suit us better (make life more comfortable).

Answer 2

Technology

Question 3

Technology extend our abilities to change our world to suit us better.
 The changes that we do to our world through technology relate to our survival needs
(e.g. food, shelter, defense) and human aspirations (e.g. knowledge, art, control)
 Technology is designed to enhance the capabilities of people and expand human
possibilities.
 Technological development is activated by need, desire and/or opportunity

Answer 3

The purpose of technology

Question 4

 Technology is a socially embedded human activity.
 This characteristic means that the social world of culture, politics, and ideologies,
together with the natural world, collectively influences technological developments.
 This influence is however a two-way street: through its creation of the made world,
technology has a profound and complex influence on the social and natural world
 Technology is a powerful force that drives the development of civilizations/societies. So
powerful, it becomes an intrinsic part of the culture of a society and can shape and
reflect the values of society
 All technology exists within a historical context, influenced by society, and influencing
society and culture.

Answer 4

Technology as a socially embedded human activity

Question 4

 The use of technology to change our world can produce results that are complicated and
unpredictable.
 These results can be unexpected benefits, unexpected costs, or unexpected risks to
different social groups at different times.

Answer 4

Expected and unexpected results of technology

Question 5

While all technology seeks to enhance human capability, not everyone shares the
benefits of these enhancements (example, war technology).
 This means that, when seeking to understand technology, its power, and its limitations,
we must recognise that technological practices and artifacts are of different value to
different people, and in different places and times.
 The value of a technological development needs to be determined by critical analyses
that take into consideration historical, social, cultural, and political perspectives.

Answer 5

Different values of technology

Question 6

 Technology is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, so successful outcomes typically
require a great deal of collaboration between people and across disciplines.
 For this to happen, technologists need to recognise that different disciplines have
different bodies of knowledge, and know which disciplines to involve in a particular
context.

Answer 6

Collaboration in technological development

Question 7

Science enables us to understand the principles on how things behave and the
properties of materials.
 With this knowledge, engineers are able to develop techniques of manipulations of
materials and come up with designs for technology.

Answer 7

Science on Technology

Question 8

Technology provides the eyes, ears and even muscles of science
 It helps science in measurements, data collection, computation, transportation to
research sites, communication among other things
 New instruments and techniques are continuously being developed through technology
that make it possible to advance scientific research

Answer 8

Technology on Science

Question 9

If society changes too rapidly, problems can occur.
 Cultural lag is a condition where the material part of culture changes faster than the
nonmaterial part. We can see this in action with how some middle-aged and older
people feel about smart phones and other technological advances that some people feel
are a disadvantage to our society.

Answer 9

Structural-Functionalist Perspective

Question 10

 Technological advances are motivated by profit, and funding is determined by dominant
groups.
 Science and technology also further the interests of dominant groups to the detriment of
others.
 Conflict theorists, along with feminists, also argue that technology is an extension of the
patriarchal nature of society that promotes the interests of men and ignores the needs
and interests of women.

Answer 10

Conflict Perspective

Question 11

 This perspective says that knowledge is relative, and that it changes over time and
between societies.
 It suggests that scientific & truths& are socially constructed and result from interactions
between scientists, researchers, and the public.
 Finally, it also says that who becomes involved in what aspects of science and
technology is socially defined.

Answer 11

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective