Social Change

1
Chapter 16

• Social Change

2
Social Change

• The transformation of culture and social
  institutions over time.
• Social change happens all the time
• Social change is sometimes intentional but often
  unplanned
• Social change is controversial
• Some changes matter more than others

3
Social movements

• Organized activities that encourage or discourage
  social change
• Alternative seek limited change in target group
• Redemptive seek radical change in some
  individuals
• Reformative limited change but target everyone
• Revolutionary major transformations

4
Modernity

• Social patterns resulting from industrialization
• Modernization
• Decline of small, traditional characteristics
• Expansion of personal choice
• Increasing social diversity
• Future orientation and growing of time

5
Postmodernity

• Social patterns characteristic of postindustrial
  societies
• Modernity has failed
• Bright light of progress is fading
• Science no longer holds answers
• Cultural debates are intensifying
• Social institutions are changing