Social Theories of Change Flashcards
What are the 4 theories of Social Change?
- Conflict Theory
- Evolutionary Theory
- Functionalist Theory
- Interactionist Theory
What is Structural Change?
Change that occurs across both social and political institutions that often brings long term affects. It impacts the economy and social and political institutions (policies, processess and procedures)
Examples: Democratisation, demographic shifts, political inclusion and p
What reasons underly social change?
PESTLE
What are 3 patterns of social change?
- Linear
- Cyclical
- Dialectic
What is Cyclical Change?
Change that is repetitive and occurs in cycles.
For example: birth, growth, flourishing, and then decline of civilisations
What is Linear Change?
Change that cumulative, linear and non-repetitive. It involves the transition from small undifferentiated societies with homogenous culture to large societies with a high degree of structural differentiation and hetrogenous.
E.g. Population Density or Levels of Production
What is Dialectic Change?
A combination of cyclical and linear patterns making a spiral pattern where short term repetive change but long term directional change is evident.
E.g. Economy, technology, acceptance of minorities
What is the main point of Conflict Theory?
Society will eventually reach a point where its own organisation (inequalities) will create a barrier for further economic growth, and at that point conflict will bring about revolutionary transformation.
What is the main point of Evolutionary Theory?
It is assumed that all human societies continually develop from simple to complex, and that all change is progress.
What is the main point of Functionalist Theory?
Society is a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability, such as the ways social structures meet social needs.
What are Latent Functions?
Unintended consequences from manifest functions
What are Manifest Functions?
Systems that are put in place intentionally to keep society moving forward
What are Social Facts?
Objects that have persuasive effects on individuals, yet cannot be influenced by individuals. People do not notice these unless they try to resist them. E.g. birth rates, customs
What is an Institution in Functionalist theory?
A structure that meets the needs of society and should work at max capacity.
What is the main point of the Interactionist Theory?
People’s selves are social products and that individual’s create their own realities and perspectives of the world based on patterns of interactions
