The nature of social and cultural continuity and change

Question 1

what is continuity?

Answer 1

notion of repetition of patterns of thinking and behaving. It also refers to social trends that have occurred over a long period of time.
serves to unify a community. This concept also builds a community’s sense of connection between the past and present

Question 2

where can continuity be seen?

Answer 2

in examples of cultural heritage and tradition customs

Question 3

what is change?

Answer 3

can be viewed as an understanding that values, beliefs, culture and social norms develop and modify over time. Change can be regarded as an improvement on the status quo or may be seen to work at a person’s or society’s detriment

Question 4

what do both change and continuity share?

Answer 4

feature of time being a determining factor. Opportunity of time that allows a society to develop and modify itself. Likewise, when we observe a particular culture or community over a period of time, we can observe clear continuities

Question 5

what are macro world continuities referred as?

Answer 5

traditions – a comment upon social and cultural continuity. An aspect of life that have continued over generations although may involve generalization

Question 6

what are some profound long term social changes?

Answer 6

The Industrial revolution, abolition of slavery and feminist movement

Question 7

How can change be initiated?

Answer 7

by community or part of social and cultural development

Question 8

how can continuity be maintained?

Answer 8

may be a natural process or conscious maintenance and preservation of some elements in society

Question 9

Is social change a simple process?

Answer 9

Social change is non-linear – it does not follow one single path or pattern. It is not a simple process as it often involved many facets and contributing forces

Question 10

what is a theory that contributes to theory of C&C?

Answer 10

Different pressures -> society/culture need to adapt. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution ‘survival of the fittest’ – stronger cultures, traits and practices endure because they dominate the weaker aspects of culture ->cease to exist. It can also be due to certain group’s beliefs about which culture should remain, may assert influence to change

Question 11

who will benefit from change?

Answer 11

Change will almost always benefit one group involved more than another, creating different power structures and levels of commitment to a cause (complex)

Question 12

what can change impact?

Answer 12

Different levels in society = complex process of change. Can filter down to micro, meso and macro level of societies. Also added challenges of preserving heritage in times of tech advancements.

Question 13

what is evolutionary change?

Answer 13

Incremental changes that accumulate over a long period of time to alter society on a large scale

Question 14

why is continuity significant?

Answer 14

Continuity sig. element due to time it takes for change to take place

Question 15

how can change be triggered?

Answer 15

• by internal factors (e.g. technology) or external factors (westernization) Change: micro level ->Meso->Macro level (vise versa)

Question 16

what are 3 examples of evolutionary change?

Answer 16

Bureaucratisation
Environmentalism
Demographic change

Question 17

What is Bureaucratisation?

Answer 17

Bureaucratisation (macro-meso-micro change): as society grow and complex, org such as gov and other admin bodies put in place systems and processes to manage huge population. Formed distinct hierarchy, division of labour and specialisation in certain area

Question 18

What is Environmentalism?

Answer 18

(micro->macro change): advocates for protection of enviro increase. Brought concept of ‘sustainability’’ into psyche of ppl all over world, slowly changing customs and practices once thought to have benign effect on enviro

Question 19

What is demographic change?

Answer 19

takes few generations to see effects o social change and alteration on population composition, characteristics and structure e.g. aging population. As structure and characteristics of population slowly change so do the needs and wants of society

Question 20

What is transformative change?

Answer 20

More dramatic and rapid than evolutionary change. May take place in shorter time period triggered by tech, social movements, rebellions and revolutions – can be successful in instigating social change

Question 21

how does this transformative change occur?

Answer 21

Opposition of status quo. Confronting social norms

Question 22

Where does the trans change occur in society? is it irreversible?

Answer 22

at all levels of society, altering social structures and systems in society and abruptly shifting ppl’s expectations, values and actions. This type of change is irreversible

Question 23

what kind of ppl ofter trigger social movements?

Answer 23

Often groups experiencing inequality trigger social movements (empowered groups taking action against their circumstances)

Question 24

what can these social movements lead to (trans change?

Answer 24

Can also lead to violent acts: war, revolution (spark transformative change), epidemic and other changes. Not every change is considered progressive and positive

Question 25

what can change in demographics of nation lead to

Answer 25

can have dramatic impact on its culture and force social change

Question 26

why is there resistance to change?

Answer 26

Different age cohorts in given culture have diff needs and make diff contributions to social change

Question 27

who tends to push for change? who doesnt?

Answer 27

Young tend to push for change and usually ones to lead various social movements, whilst older are generally more conservative and appreciate stability (continuity) in their society. May be satisfied with the status quo, having pushed for those changes in their youth

Question 28

what is diffusion?

Answer 28

transference of both material goods and cultural norms/values to another distinct group, thereby causing change in that culture. Can have + and – impacts. Occurs from travel, migration, trade, global nature of communication

Question 29

is change necessary?

Answer 29

Often said that everything changes except change itself. Humans are always fascinated with change, evident in newspapers running ‘before and after’ articles/images – ppl like to look back and reflect

Question 30

why do some ppl resist social change?

Answer 30

o Pace of innovation – e.g. frustration of frequently updated IT products
o Differences in beliefs and values – e.g. denial of legally recognized same-sex marriage
o Vested interests – e.g. loss of assets
o Tradition – e.g. superstitions prevent from trying new things
o Fear of future – e.g. increased complexity in life, removal of monarchies, status depreciation

Question 31

what did socialist, William Ogburn develop theory of?

Answer 31

cultural lag to explain the extended period of time that a culture may take to change. Suggest that though development of tangible tech may indicate change in society, non-material culture of values, attitudes and norms resist change, hence take longer to catch up with new tech.

The difference in uptake of change create maladjustments or ‘lag time’ in society

Question 32

what is continuity?

Answer 32

According to sociologist Patterson, continuity refers to any object, process or type of event that persists between two or more periods of time, entailing something that persists and some mechanism that accounts for persistence

Question 33

what does continuity provide?

Answer 33

provides a sense of security and control. Without it, there would be constant chaos and conflict

Question 34

what does continuity within society indicate?

Answer 34

certain level of cooperation and acceptance in society

Question 35

why is stage authenticity important for continuities?

Answer 35

. Stage authenticity is also responsible for some continuities in society e.g. media exposure and tourist dollar (Hawaiin welcome dance). It provides basic beliefs of promotions of intercultural understanding, an increased awareness of a rich history or a heightened sense of empathy towards, and a greater acceptance of, diversity

Question 36

why is continuity hard to break in poverty area?

Answer 36

Poverty cycle issue with continuity as hard to break the cycle of low edu, resources e.g. Also rigid Indian caste system means those higher stay there and in control (inflexible)

Question 37

what are some C&C in micro level?

Answer 37

vary depending on indivi, peer and family contexts and extent to which they adopt/resist change. Most researcher believe tech. advancements will have profound impact on society e.g. as more problems encountered, more technological innovations will take place to overcome that barrier

Question 38

How does social change affect micro level?

Answer 38

affect micro level by altering family structures, influencing peer interactions and creating different gender roles and expectations.
Another potential impact is ‘future shock’ and ‘information overload’ – massive structural change and tech advancements would be so rapid that ppl become overwhelmed and feel disconnected to society

Question 39

How does C&C effect meso level?

Answer 39

process of localization (‘glocalisation’) when community tailors certain ideas and practices to suit its local context

Question 40

What are examples of C&C in meso level?

Answer 40

Adaptations of goods and services as globally standardized products might not be attractive in every community in world, e.g. maccas add tofu burger in India (Hindu values) than beef to accommodate

Question 41

What social change for meso level community?

Answer 41

Social change at community level is revitalization. In response to globalization, many communities are directing efforts towards continuity of their culture. Attempt to maintain their values and social practices while adopting and adapting certain aspects of modernity

Question 42

what are influences of C&C on macro level?

Answer 42

influences of C&C are those that have affected collective behavior on large scale e.g. freedom of press, global warming, anti-terrorism laws, apology to Stolen Generation

Question 43

how many percent of ppl believe social media is force for change?

Answer 43

70% of young people believe that social media is force for change
article by Kumar

Question 44

what is modernisation?

Answer 44

a process of dynamic social change resulting from the diffusion and adoption of the characteristics of apparently more advanced society by less advanced societies. Decline of traditional authority and practices

Question 45

what does modernisation involve?

Answer 45

social transformations whereby the society becomes technologically advanced and changes cultural life

Question 46

what does modernisation also refer to?

Answer 46

process also refers to economic, social and cultural changes that occur when pre-industrial societies make transition to a more advanced society (industrialization)

Question 47

who benefits from modernisation?

Answer 47

Those who benefit from it are *young ppl willing to embrace change, *educated ppl and wealthy

Question 48

who doesn’t benefit from modernization?

Answer 48

Those who don’t benefit *elderly, *poor, uneducated and unskilled workers, * those who perceived modernisation as destroying traditional values and therefore resist it

Question 49

what are some changes associated with modernisation?

Answer 49

institutional change: changes in the ideas that govern institutions
o Division of labour: as institutions and industries evolve, demand certain labour skills so ppl begin to specialize in smaller tasks that make up whole.
o Mass media, transport and communication: promote social mobility – ability for ppl to improve their social status.
- Secularisation: move away from strict adherence to religion
o Democratization: transition to a political system where individuals have right to vote and be heard (capitalism).
o Rates of urbanization, technological developments, changing social rel/ships, architecture and aesthetics.
- change in family norms

Question 50

what happens to society when go thru modernisation?

Answer 50

Once society goes through these characteristics of modernisation, it goes thru process of reflexive modernisation - reform and reorganisation of social structures

Question 51

What is westernisation?

Answer 51

refers to idea that counties adapting to practices and values of western countries, partic the USA (most countries in western hemisphere). Diffusion accelerated by process of globalization and closer links between countries. Culture spread by trade and tourism, much from transnational co-operations

Question 52

what are some examples of westernisation?

Answer 52

This westernization can work in a number of ways. It may refer to the adoption of democracy in a country that has previously had an autocratic style of government, or it could simply refer to the adoption of Coca-Cola as a popular drink, Maccas as preferred way of eating

Question 53

what does Western cultural domination mean?

Answer 53

western lifestyle highly sought after. It is a process where values, customs and practices of western industrial capitalism are adopted to form the basis of cultural change e.g. democracy, capitalism and Christianity