Unit 2 - Social Trends and Social Change Flashcards
(113 cards)
1
Q
Adolescence
A
The transitional stage of development between childhood and adulthood, typically around ages 12-18. It involves physical, emotional, and social changes.
2
Q
Egocentrism
A
A way of thinking where individuals view the world from their own perspective, often having trouble understanding others’ viewpoints.
3
Q
Imaginary Audience
A
The belief that others are always watching and evaluating you, typical in adolescence.
4
Q
Personal Fable
A
A belief that one’s experiences and feelings are unique and that they are invincible or destined for greatness.
5
Q
Role Confusion
A
A state where individuals, especially teenagers, struggle to figure out their identity or role in society.
6
Q
Catalysts
A
Factors that trigger or accelerate social change or movement.
7
Q
Impediments
A
Obstacles or barriers that slow down or prevent social change.
8
Q
The Oprah Effect
A
The influence public figures, like Oprah Winfrey, can have on popular culture, social trends, or consumer behavior.
9
Q
Social Elites
A
Groups or individuals with high social, economic, or political power, often influencing society’s norms and values.
10
Q
Status Quo
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The existing state or condition of things, often referring to the way things are before any significant change happens.
11
Q
Anomie
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A feeling of disconnection or normlessness that can occur when individuals or groups don’t feel part of a cohesive social system.
12
Q
Conformity
A
The act of aligning one’s beliefs, actions, or behaviors with societal norms or expectations.
13
Q
Deviance
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Behaviors that violate social norms or expectations.
14
Q
Subjective Validity
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The perception that something is valid or true based on personal experience or belief, not objective fact.
15
Q
Normative Influence
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The pressure to conform to societal norms, which can influence behavior.
16
Q
Social Exclusion
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The process by which individuals or groups are marginalized or left out of mainstream society.
17
Q
Alienation
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A feeling of being isolated or disconnected from society, often due to social exclusion or lack of belonging.
18
Q
Informational Influence
A
The influence of others based on the information they provide, which affects individuals’ beliefs or behaviors.
19
Q
Lens
A
A perspective or point of view through which people interpret or understand the world around them.
20
Q
Sexting
A
Sending or receiving sexually explicit messages or images, typically via mobile devices.
21
Q
Invention
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The creation of something new, often leading to technological or societal advancement.
22
Q
Discovery
A
The act of finding something that already exists but was previously unknown or unrecognized.
23
Q
Diffusion
A
The spread of ideas, innovations, or cultural practices from one place to another.
24
Q
Cyberbullying
A
The use of digital platforms (social media, texting, etc.) to harass or harm others.
25
Desensitization
The process by which individuals become less sensitive to negative or harmful stimuli after repeated exposure.
26
Normalization
The process by which deviant or unconventional behaviors are accepted and seen as normal within society.
27
Cultural Transmission
The process by which cultural beliefs, values, and behaviors are passed from one generation to the next.
28
Transculturation
The merging or exchange of cultures, often leading to new cultural blends or practices.
29
Social Constructs
Concepts or practices that are created and accepted by society, like race, gender roles, and social class.
30
Brute Facts
Basic, undeniable facts about the world that don't depend on human interpretation or social construction.
31
Institutional Facts
Facts that are based on societal institutions or social agreements, such as laws or social norms.
32
Hidden Curriculum
The unintended lessons or social norms learned through the education system, beyond the formal curriculum.
33
The Male Gaze
The concept that visual media often represents the world from a male perspective, objectifying women.
34
Socialization
The process through which individuals learn and internalize the values, norms, and behaviors of their society.
35
Cultural Capital
The non-financial social assets, like education or cultural knowledge, that can give individuals a social advantage.
36
Peer Groups
Groups of individuals, typically of similar age, who interact and influence each other.
37
Social Prescriptions
The societal rules or expectations about how individuals should behave in certain situations.
38
Total Institutions
Institutions that control every aspect of an individual's life, like prisons, military, or mental hospitals.
39
Resocialization
The process of learning new values, norms, and behaviors when entering a new social environment, often after a period of isolation or intense change.
40
Significant Other
A person who plays a critical role in shaping one’s identity, often a close family member, friend, or romantic partner.
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Agents of Socialization
People or institutions that influence an individual's social development, like family, media, or schools.
42
Primary Socialization
The early stage of socialization, typically occurring within the family, where basic social norms and values are learned.
43
Secondary Socialization
The later stage of socialization that occurs outside the family, where individuals learn how to interact in different social environments.
44
Generalized Other
The perception of societal expectations that individuals internalize, allowing them to anticipate how they should behave in various situations.
45
Inequality
The uneven distribution of resources, opportunities, or privileges across different groups in society.
46
Demography
The study of population dynamics, including birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns.
47
Demographic Transition Model
A model that explains how populations change over time, usually from high birth/death rates to low birth/death rates as a country develops.
48
Birth Rate
The number of live births per 1,000 people in a given year.
49
Replacement Fertility Rate
The level of fertility at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.
50
Immigration
The process of moving to a new country to live.
51
Emigration
The process of leaving one's own country to settle in another.
52
Birth Cohort
A group of individuals born within the same period, often studied to observe generational trends.
53
Death Rate
The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a given year.
54
Natural Rate of Increase
The difference between the birth rate and death rate in a population, indicating population growth.
55
Turnings
Major shifts in societal attitudes or values, often marking the start of a new social era or period.
56
Fresh Contact
The interaction or exchange between different groups or cultures, often leading to new ideas or practices.
57
Net Migration
The difference between the number of people immigrating and the number of people emigrating in a specific area.
58
Immigration Rate
The rate at which people move into a country, typically per 1,000 people.
59
Emigration Rate
The rate at which people leave a country, typically per 1,000 people.
60
Population Growth Rate
The rate at which a population is increasing, accounting for both births and immigration.
61
Population Pyramids
Graphical representations of a population's age and sex distribution.
62
Baby Boom
A significant increase in the birth rate, typically referring to the post-World War II period.
63
Echo Boom
The generation born after the baby boomers, often consisting of their children.
64
Archetypes
Typical examples or prototypes of a certain person, role, or event, often seen in myths or stories.
65
Social Location
The social identity and position of an individual based on factors like age, gender, race, and class.
66
Innovation
The introduction of new ideas, methods, or devices.
67
Global Village
The concept that the world is becoming interconnected through technology, making distant events and cultures feel closer.
68
Technological Determinism
The theory that technology shapes society's development and behavior more than human agency.
69
Social Networking
The use of online platforms to build and maintain personal and professional relationships.
70
Evolutionary Theory of Change
Authors: Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer
Social change is gradual, linear, and inevitable, progressing from simple to complex forms.
Comte believed societies evolve through three stages:
Theological stage – explanations based on religious beliefs and gods.
Metaphysical stage – abstract philosophical explanations.
Positive stage – scientific, rational explanations based on empirical data.
Spencer expanded on Comte’s ideas, viewing societies as organisms that evolve and become more complex over time.
Implies that societies naturally improve and progress toward greater complexity and rationality.
71
Cyclical Theory of Change
Authors: Oswald Spengler, Arnold J. Toynbee
Social change happens in repeating cycles: rise, peak, decline, and fall.
Spengler: Civilizations are like living organisms with a birth, growth, maturity, and death cycle. History repeats itself in predictable patterns.
Toynbee: Civilizations rise and fall based on how they respond to challenges. He believed that if a civilization successfully adapts to challenges, it thrives, but eventually all civilizations face decline.
Emphasizes that no civilization is immune to eventual decay, and history has cyclical nature.
72
Challenge and Response Theory of Change
Author: Arnold J. Toynbee
Social change occurs when societies face external or internal challenges (e.g., war, economic crises, environmental issues).
The ability of societies to respond effectively to these challenges determines whether they thrive or decline.
Response can be through adaptation, innovation, or reform.
Societies that fail to respond to challenges or fail to innovate may collapse.
Focuses on how societies grow, evolve, and transform in the face of difficulties.
73
Functionalist Theory of Change
Authors: Émile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons
Social change happens to maintain stability and order in society.
Durkheim: Viewed society as a living organism with parts (e.g., institutions, norms) working together to maintain balance. When these parts no longer work harmoniously, change happens to restore equilibrium.
Parsons: Argued that social institutions evolve to meet society’s needs and maintain balance. If one part of society becomes dysfunctional, change is necessary to restore stability.
Functionalists believe change is gradual and not disruptive, but rather a necessary adaptation to new needs or external pressures.
Emphasizes that social structures change in response to the evolving needs of society.
74
Conflict Theory of Change
Authors: Karl Marx, Max Weber
Social change is driven by conflicts between competing groups, such as the rich vs. the poor or powerful vs. powerless.
Karl Marx: Believed that economic inequality and class struggles lead to social change. The proletariat (working class) would eventually overthrow the bourgeoisie (ruling class), leading to a new social order.
Max Weber: Expanded on Marx’s ideas by focusing on other forms of conflict, such as social status and political power. He argued that social change also arises from conflicts in areas like authority, power, and legitimacy.
Change is often seen as a result of struggles and revolutions, where groups challenge the existing order and push for new forms of social organization.
Conflict theory suggests that social systems are inherently unequal, and that inequality leads to social change.
75
Max Weber and Leadership
Author: Max Weber
Weber emphasized the role of leadership in social change, identifying three types of authority that influence society’s structure and change:
Traditional Authority: Based on customs, traditions, or long-standing practices (e.g., monarchies, patriarchal systems).
Charismatic Authority: Based on the personal qualities and appeal of a leader (e.g., revolutionary leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. or political figures like Hitler). Charismatic leaders can inspire movements and instigate significant change.
Legal-Rational Authority: Based on laws, rules, and regulations, typically found in modern bureaucratic systems (e.g., modern governments or corporations).
Charismatic leaders are particularly important in driving social change as they can challenge the existing order and inspire followers to take action.
Weber’s theory suggests that leadership plays a critical role in initiating social change, particularly through the influence of authority and the ability to mobilize people.
76
G. Stanley Hall’s Storm and Stress
Author: G. Stanley Hall
Hall proposed that adolescence is a time of emotional turmoil, conflict, and upheaval—referred to as "storm and stress."
He believed adolescence was inherently characterized by mood swings, rebellion, and conflict with parents due to biological and psychological changes.
Hall viewed adolescence as a universal, inevitable phase of development that all individuals go through as they transition from childhood to adulthood.
His theory emphasizes innate conflict and emotional instability during the adolescent years.
77
Elkind’s Theory of Adolescence
Author: David Elkind
Elkind extended Hall’s ideas but added more psychological aspects of adolescence, focusing on cognitive development and how adolescents perceive the world.
He introduced the "imaginary audience" and "personal fable" concepts.
Imaginary Audience: Adolescents feel as though they are always being watched and judged by others, leading to self-consciousness and heightened emotions.
Personal Fable: Adolescents believe their experiences and feelings are unique, often leading to feelings of invincibility or immortality.
Elkind argued that these feelings of being constantly observed and uniquely special contribute to the emotional instability and impulsiveness that often characterize adolescence.
78
Karl Mannheim and Fresh Contacts
Author: Karl Mannheim
Mannheim focused on the role of generation in shaping societal change, arguing that each generation is influenced by the historical period in which it comes of age.
He coined the term "fresh contacts" to describe the unique perspectives that young people develop as they come into contact with new ideas and challenges.
Mannheim believed that generations respond to historical events and socioeconomic conditions in ways that shape their values, worldviews, and actions.
Generational consciousness is formed as young people form new ideas and
challenge the status quo, pushing for social, cultural, and political change.
79
Strauss-Howe Generational Theory
Authors: William Strauss and Neil Howe
Strauss and Howe proposed that history is marked by cyclical generational patterns, with each generation playing a specific role during specific periods.
They identified four generational archetypes:
Prophet Generation: Visionary, values-driven (e.g., Baby Boomers).
Nomad Generation: Disillusioned and pragmatic (e.g., Generation X).
Hero Generation: Optimistic and civic-minded (e.g., Millennials).
Artist Generation: Sensitive, risk-averse, and focused on culture (e.g., Generation Z).
They argued that each generational cycle lasts about 20-25 years, and that generations go through turnings (periods of societal change) that repeat every 80-100 years.
Their theory emphasizes that generational shifts influence political, economic, and social outcomes, as well as cultural values.
80
Generational Replacement Theory
Author: Not specifically attributed to a single author, but related to demographic studies
This theory suggests that social change occurs as older generations are replaced by younger generations with different values, attitudes, and behaviors.
The replacement of one generation by the next causes shifts in societal norms, political views, and cultural practices.
Younger generations often bring new ideas and approaches that challenge the established order, leading to societal evolution.
This theory emphasizes that each generation contributes to change by replacing the older one, gradually altering the structure and values of society.
81
Demographic Transition Model
Authors: Warren Thompson (initial development)
The Demographic Transition Model explains how birth rates and death rates decline as societies industrialize and modernize.
The model consists of four stages:
Stage 1 (Pre-industrial): High birth and death rates, population remains stable.
Stage 2 (Early industrial): Death rates decline due to improvements in sanitation, healthcare, and nutrition, while birth rates remain high, leading to population growth.
Stage 3 (Late industrial): Birth rates decline as a result of urbanization, access to contraception, and changing social norms, slowing population growth.
Stage 4 (Post-industrial): Both birth and death rates are low, leading to stable or slowly declining population growth.
The theory suggests that social and economic development influences population dynamics, particularly in terms of family size and life expectancy.
82
Forces of Social Change
Catalysts
Leadership;
social elites;
a population ready for change;
little cultural interaction
Impediments
Those in power maintain the status quo
Little education/innovation/emerging technologies
The expense of change
traditional cultural values;
83
Factors Influencing Social Change
External Factors
Physical environment
Population changes
Proximity
Social environment, culture, social values
Technology
84
Global Village Theory
Author: Marshall McLuhan
McLuhan introduced the idea that technology, especially electronic media, has created a "global village," where the world is interconnected in ways that mimic a small, close-knit community.
The theory suggests that advancements in communication technologies, such as television, radio, and later, the internet, have shrunk the world by allowing people from all corners of the globe to interact instantly.
In this global village, distance and time no longer limit communication, and people can share ideas, cultures, and experiences in real-time, leading to a greater sense of global interconnectedness.
McLuhan emphasized that, with this connectedness, we also experience shared awareness and collective consciousness on a global scale, meaning that the actions and events happening anywhere in the world are felt by people everywhere.
The concept implies that technological advances in communication transform the nature of social interaction, making it more immediate, universal, and interconnected.
The "global village" is a metaphor to illustrate how technology has made the world feel smaller and more integrated, leading to cultural blending, a sense of collective identity, and the potential for both collaboration and conflict on a larger scale.
85
Components of Culture
Art/Entertainment
Language/Communication
Habits/Customs
Institutions
Values/Religions/Beliefs
Technology
86
Social Change in Qatar
Qatar has experienced rapid social, economic, and political change in the past few decades, largely driven by its oil wealth.
The country has transitioned from a traditional society to a modern, globalized nation with a focus on urban development and international business.
Social change includes shifts in gender roles, education, and employment, with more women entering the workforce and gaining higher education.
Despite modernization, Qatar still grapples with human rights concerns, such as the treatment of migrant workers and restrictions on political freedoms.
87
Arab Spring
A series of pro-democracy uprisings and protests that swept across the Arab world in 2010-2011, affecting countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, and others.
Triggered by economic instability, political corruption, and social injustice.
The protests led to the overthrow of regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, but also resulted in civil wars (e.g., Syria) and political instability in other nations.
Social media played a crucial role in organizing protests and spreading awareness of the movement globally.
88
Change Through Crisis: 9/11
The 9/11 attacks in the United States (2001) had a profound effect on social change globally.
It led to significant policy changes such as the War on Terror, heightened national security, and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
Socially, there was an increase in Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslim communities.
The attacks shifted global foreign policy, led to the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, and created new norms around counterterrorism and surveillance.
89
Asch’s Conformity Experiment
A psychological experiment on peer pressure and conformity, where participants were asked to match the length of a line with one of three comparison lines.
The real subject was placed among confederates (actors) who deliberately gave incorrect answers to see if the subject would conform to the wrong answer.
Results showed that people tend to conform to the group even when the answers are clearly incorrect, illustrating the power of group pressure on individual decisions.
90
The Milgram Experiment
Milgram’s experiment tested obedience to authority, where participants were instructed to administer increasingly severe shocks to another person (who was actually a confederate and not harmed).
The study found that a significant number of people were willing to follow authority figures, even when it involved inflicting apparent harm on others.
This experiment demonstrated the power of authority figures in shaping individual behavior, even in situations of moral conflict.
91
Albert Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment
Bandura’s experiment explored observational learning and aggression in children.
Children watched an adult model either aggressively or non-aggressively interact with a Bobo doll.
Results showed that children who observed aggressive behavior were more likely to imitate it, demonstrating the power of social modeling in shaping behavior.
This experiment helped establish the theory of social learning, highlighting that behavior can be learned through observation rather than direct experience.
92
Stanford Prison Experiment
An experiment designed to explore the psychological effects of perceived power in a simulated prison environment.
Participants were assigned to either the role of prisoner or guard, and the study quickly escalated as guards became increasingly abusive and prisoners became passive and submissive.
The experiment was terminated after only six days due to the extreme behavior exhibited by participants.
The study revealed how easily individuals can adopt powerful social roles and how those roles can lead to dehumanization.
93
The Selfie
The selfie is a form of self-portrait photography typically taken with a smartphone and shared on social media.
It became a significant cultural phenomenon in the digital age, reflecting the rise of individualism, narcissism, and social media culture.
The selfie is associated with self-expression, but also with potential social comparison and the construction of idealized identities online.
Studies suggest that excessive selfie-taking can be linked to mental health issues such as body image concerns and social validation.
94
Black Mirror: Nosedive
An episode from the Black Mirror anthology series that explores a dystopian future where individuals’ social status is determined by a rating system based on social interactions.
People strive for high ratings to gain privileges and social acceptance, while those with low ratings experience exclusion and social punishment.
The episode critiques the influence of social media on self-worth and the commodification of human relationships, offering a warning about the consequences of a society obsessed with status and social approval.
95
Chinese Protest Tiananmen Square 1989
The Tiananmen Square protests were a pro-democracy movement in China that culminated in a violent military crackdown on June 4, 1989.
The protests, led mainly by students, demanded political reform, freedom of speech, and an end to corruption.
The Chinese government responded with force, resulting in hundreds (or possibly thousands) of deaths, but the event has had lasting effects on Chinese civil society and political activism.
The Chinese government continues to suppress information and memories of the incident, especially through censorship and restrictions on public discourse.
96
Chinese Protest Hong Kong 2014
The 2014 Hong Kong protests, also known as the Umbrella Movement, were a series of pro-democracy protests advocating for free and fair elections in Hong Kong.
Protesters, primarily students, demanded that China uphold the one-country, two-systems framework and allow universal suffrage for the chief executive of Hong Kong.
The movement symbolized growing discontent with Beijing’s increasing influence over Hong Kong and the erosion of political freedoms.
Though the protests were not successful in achieving political reform, they sparked a broader conversation about Hong Kong’s autonomy and future.
97
Population and Disease Outbreaks
Disease outbreaks like the Spanish flu, SARS, and COVID-19 can have profound effects on population dynamics and social behavior.
These outbreaks lead to significant public health interventions, including quarantines, travel restrictions, and healthcare mobilization.
Disease outbreaks can also create social disruption, economic downturns, and long-term psychological effects on populations.
98
One Child Policy in China
China’s One-Child Policy, introduced in 1978 and officially enforced in 1980, aimed to curb China’s rapidly growing population.
The policy led to gender imbalances, with a higher number of male births due to the preference for sons.
The policy was officially relaxed in 2016, but its long-term effects include an aging population and a shrinking workforce, which has caused economic and social challenges.
99
Brain Drain
Brain drain refers to the emigration of highly skilled professionals and educated individuals from one country to another, often for better opportunities or living conditions.
It can have significant effects on the source country’s development, leading to a loss of talent and an inability to meet domestic needs.
Countries experiencing brain drain often attempt to address it through incentives, like increasing wages, providing research opportunities, or offering better living standards.
100
Delayed Transitions of Young Adults
Many young adults today are delaying traditional markers of adulthood, such as marriage, homeownership, and having children.
This delay is influenced by factors like economic uncertainty, educational commitments, and changing societal norms.
The trend represents a shift in the timing of life transitions, with young adults focusing more on career and personal development before settling into traditional roles.
101
Family Size Among Mothers
The average family size has been steadily decreasing in many parts of the world due to factors such as increased access to contraception, higher education levels for women, and economic pressures.
Smaller families are also linked to social trends like delayed marriage, urbanization, and shifting priorities among young couples.
102
Anthropological Perspective
Focus: Cultural evolution and cultural transmission.
Anthropologists study how human societies evolve culturally over time, considering how traditions, customs, and behaviors are passed down. They emphasize the impact of cultural adaptation on society.
Example: The transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural communities marks a significant cultural change in human history, influencing social organization, economic systems, and family structures.
103
Psychological Perspective
Focus: The individual’s role in social change and internal mental processes.
Psychologists focus on how individual behavior and cognitive development contribute to social change. This includes how people’s values, attitudes, and perceptions evolve in response to societal shifts.
Example: The growth of environmental consciousness in society is driven in part by individual changes in attitudes, influenced by psychological concepts like cognitive dissonance and social learning.
104
Sociological Perspective
Focus: Social structures and group dynamics.
Sociologists examine how societal institutions (e.g., family, education, media) influence social change and group behavior. They explore the dynamics of class, race, and gender and how they influence social transformation.
Example: The Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. was a sociological transformation where social change occurred due to shifts in group dynamics and collective activism.
105
Processes of Social Change
Social change refers to significant shifts in the social structure, culture, and behavior of a society over time. The process of social change involves the evolution or transformation of norms, values, and institutions.
106
Key Factors Driving Social Change
Technological Innovation: The invention of the internet and smartphones revolutionized communication, social behavior, and global connectivity.
Cultural Diffusion: Ideas, practices, and beliefs spread across societies through migration, media, or trade, influencing social norms and values (e.g., globalization).
Economic Factors: Changes in economic systems, such as the shift from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy, often drive major societal transformations.
Social Movements: Organized groups, such as the women’s rights movement or LGBTQ+ activism, work to create change in laws, attitudes, and societal roles.
Political and Legal Factors: Changes in laws, like the abolition of slavery or the granting of voting rights, often bring profound societal changes.
107
Social Change and Social Trends Using Demographic Information
Demographics provide insights into how populations are changing over time, including trends in birth rates, death rates, immigration, and aging populations.
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Social Trends Linked to Demographics
Aging Population: Countries with declining birth rates (e.g., Japan, many European nations) are facing challenges with an aging population, leading to shifts in social structures, healthcare demands, and workforces.
Urbanization: The migration from rural to urban areas creates shifts in social dynamics, as cities experience changes in family structures, job markets, and education systems.
Cultural Diversity: Increasing immigration has led to more multicultural societies, changing the dynamics of social interactions, cultural integration, and national identity.
109
Demographic Trends in Canada and the World
In Canada:
Aging Population: Canada's baby boomers are entering retirement age, leading to concerns about the workforce, healthcare demands, and pension systems.
Immigration: Canada is one of the world’s most immigration-friendly countries, which has contributed to a diverse population and growing multiculturalism.
Low Birth Rates: Canadian birth rates are below replacement level, raising concerns about population decline and economic stagnation in the future.
Globally:
Population Growth: Many developing nations (e.g., India, parts of Africa) continue to experience high birth rates, contributing to population growth and challenges in infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
Declining Birth Rates: In countries like Germany and Italy, birth rates are below replacement level, leading to a potential population decline and challenges with an aging population.
Urbanization: There’s a global trend of people moving to cities for economic opportunities, leading to the expansion of megacities and changes in lifestyle and social systems.
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Social Changes Across Life Stages (Adolescence to Elderly Adulthood)
Adolescence: This stage is marked by the formation of identity, often influenced by peer groups, media, and family expectations. Social changes include moving towards independence, establishing personal values, and participating in wider social issues.
Young Adulthood: Social roles expand as individuals enter higher education, establish careers, and begin to form intimate relationships. Key societal changes include shifting norms around marriage, parenthood, and career aspirations.
Middle Adulthood: This stage may involve family formation, career growth, and social responsibilities. It’s a time for evaluating life choices and legacy, often resulting in career changes and involvement in community service.
Elderly Adulthood: Social roles include retirement, grandparenting, and life reflection. Elderly adults may experience changes in health and independence, and societal changes often involve issues like ageism, elder care, and pension systems.
111
Social Changes Due to Technology
Technology has brought profound social changes, especially with the rise of the internet, social media, and smartphones. These changes include:
New Forms of Communication: The internet has facilitated global communication, changing the way people interact, share ideas, and participate in social movements.
Online Communities: The emergence of virtual communities has shifted how people form social bonds and engage with others.
Workplace Transformation: Automation, remote work, and digital platforms have revolutionized work, challenging traditional social structures like the 9-to-5 workday and office environments.
Challenges: Issues like digital addiction, privacy concerns, social isolation, and job displacement due to automation are pressing challenges that society must address.
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Roles of Conformity and Social Deviance in Social Change
Conformity plays a major role in maintaining social stability, but also serves as a force for social change when norms evolve over time (e.g., changing gender roles, attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights).
Social Deviance refers to behaviors that violate societal norms. Deviance often sparks social change by questioning existing values and rules (e.g., the Civil Rights Movement challenged racial segregation in the U.S.).
113
Values and Norms Informing Societal Behavior and Change Over Time
Values and norms shape societal behavior by defining what is considered acceptable and unacceptable. Over time, values (like equality, freedom, and individualism) and norms (like marriage age, gender roles, etc.) shift, reflecting societal changes.
For example, norms around gender roles have shifted significantly, with more equality in employment and household roles, a change that reflects broader social values regarding gender equality.
