Terms and Concepts in Science, Technology, and Society

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts in Science, Technology, and Society.

Appropriate Technology

A design and selection of technologies that reflect the social, economic, cultural, and ecological conditions of society.

Autonomous Technology

The theory that technology develops independently of human control.

Bacteria

Single cell organisms; the most prevalent form of life on Earth.

Behavior Setting

The material environment for human behavior, influenced by natural and technical elements.

Big Science

Scientific research that involves large-scale money, personnel, organization, and equipment post World War II.

Big Technology

Technological activities involving large-scale financial and organizational resources since the mid-nineteenth century.

Biodegradable

Refers to molecules that can be metabolized by organisms.

Biodiversity

The variety and richness of all forms of life.

Chain-Linked Model of Innovation

A model emphasizing diverse starting points and feedback loops in the innovation process.

Character of Everyday Life

The texture of everyday existence affected by scientific and technological innovations.

Communication Technology

Technology that extends the transmission of information between individuals and groups.

Consequentialist Ethical Theories

Ethical theories where actions' rightness depends exclusively on their consequences.

Context of Science and Technology

The social and natural setting affecting scientific and technological activities.

Cultural Convergence

A process where cultures exhibit increasing similarity in various dimensions.

Cultural System

The complex interactions within a society's culture.

Culture

A group's total inherited and transmitted way of life.

Cumulative Synthesis Theory of Invention

Theory stating that invention is a cumulative social process with multiple stages.

Deontological Ethical Theories

Ethical theories focusing on intrinsic properties or intentions rather than outcomes.

Deskilling Effect

When technological change results in workers needing fewer skills than before.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

The genetic component of each cell, composed of nucleotides.

Ecosystem

A biological system characterized by a unique mix of living organisms and physical components.

Engineering

The branch of technology focused on organizing technics and technical systems for human needs.

Enskilling Effect

A new work situation requiring workers to develop new skills.

Environmental Impact Statement

An estimation of potential effects of a technological initiative on the environment.

Equilibrium-Disequilibrium Model

Model emphasizing disruptions and eventual equilibrium changes in society due to technology.

Evolution, Theory of

The theory describing life's processes as results of evolution over billions of years.

Formalized Technical Procedures

Directives indicating how technic-related tasks should be carried out.

Health and Safety Issues

Concerns related to hazardous working conditions in science and technology.

Heroic Theory of Invention

The idea that inventions are created by single geniuses.

High Technology

Technologies heavily reliant on advanced scientific knowledge, particularly in recent decades.

Hypothesis

A testable scientific idea that can be proven right or wrong.

IDUAR Model

A model relating technical change to social change with interacting variables.

Indigenous Technology

Technology native to a specific place, people, or region.

Industrial Revolution

The shift from labor-based to energy source-based technology, particularly in late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Industrialization

The ongoing application of technology for efficient resource extraction and product creation.

Influence Agent

A social actor that influences scientific or technological activities.

Influence Effect

A change in scientific or technological activity due to an influence agent.

Influence Exercise

Types of influence exerted by an agent on science or technology.

Innovation/Invention

The process of creating a new product or process ready for practical use.

Innovation Diffusion

The dissemination of innovation in a social group.

Innovation System [Western Context]

The complex of institutions and values fostering innovation in modern Western society.

Institutionalization of Science and Technology

The process making scientific and technological practices established components of society.

Intensification

Increasing productivity through advanced technology and labor techniques.

Intermediate Technology

Traditional technology upgraded with modern innovations for increased productivity.

Invention

An original device or process realized through conceptualization and testing.

Immediate Social System

The prevailing political, economic, and social forces in a society.

Kinetics

The science measuring changes in movements and flow.

Less Developed Countries

Countries often referred to as the Third World.

Legislative Limitation of Science and Technology

Restrictions on scientific and technological developments for public interest.

Linear Model of the Innovation Process

Depicts innovation as the result of sequential phases from research to marketing.

More Developed Countries

Countries in Western Europe, North America, and Japan.

Modern Business Firm

Hierarchically organized firms arising in response to new technologies since the 19th century.

Nanotechnology

Technology manipulating single atoms to create small materials.

Natural Selection

Darwin's process favoring certain genotypes based on environmental interactions.

Newly Industrialized Countries

Countries that have recently transitioned towards industrialization.

Organism

An individual member of a species capable of reproduction.

Outputs Characteristic of Scientific and Technological Activity

Knowledge of the natural world and technics produced through scientific efforts.

Paradigm

The set of intellectual commitments within a discipline.

Polymorphism of Contemporary Science and Technology

The variety of forms taken by scientific and technological activities today.

Population

A totality of organisms of the same species in a specific geographical area.

Positivism

The philosophical position linking social and natural sciences.

Product Liability Litigation

Legal proceedings addressing manufacturer responsibility for product defects.

Protein

Macromolecules made from amino acids, essential for cellular function.

Public Participation in Science and Technology

Public engagement in decision-making affecting scientific affairs.

Purposes or Functions Characteristic of Scientific and Technological Activity

To attain an enhanced understanding of the natural world, including human and social phenomena (science); to expand the realm of practical human possibility (technology)

Quantum Mechanics

Physical theory explaining atomic and subatomic particle behavior.

Rationalization

Shifting work procedures from tradition to explicit, calculable knowledge.

Regulation of Science and Technology

Government control mechanisms governing scientific and technological activities.

Resources for Scientific and Technological Activity

Means for carrying out scientific and technological activities.

Responsibility-Feasibility Dilemma of Modern Innovation

The conflict in public decision-making regarding the approval of innovations.

Sociocultural Environmental System

The broader context for considering causes and effects of technological developments.

Science

A systematic body of knowledge about natural phenomena and processes.

Scientific Management

Techniques for optimizing work tasks and evaluating worker performance.

Scientific Method

Steps ensuring validity and reliability in the research process.

Scientism

The ideology claiming that science is the only source of true knowledge.

Social Control of Science and Technology

Societal influence on scientific and technological practices.

Social Constructivism

Theory stating that scientific and technological phenomena are outcomes of social processes.

Sociotechnical System

A system of social and technical elements interacting with each other.

Species

A group of organisms able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Stakeholders

Individuals or groups with interests in scientific and technological issues.

STS

Abbreviation for Science, Technology, and Society.

Stem Cell

Specialized cells that can self-regenerate and differentiate into different cell types.

System, Concept of

A complex of elements and potential interactions within an environment.

System-Embeddedness of Technics

Dependency of technics on sociotechnical support systems.

System Analysis

Quantitative analysis of systems under varying conditions.

Task Orientation Toward Work

Cultural view of work focused on completing tasks when necessary.

TCESC Relationship

The relationship between Technical Change and subsequent Social Change.

Technicity

The extent to which technics permeate everyday life.

Technic-Related Intellectual Constructs

Mental conceptions to aid in designing or managing technics.

Technical Specialist

An individual who specializes in a technical field.

Technics

Material products resulting from human fabrication.

Technological Determinism

Theory stating that society's structure is shaped by its technology.

Technology Literacy

Ability to effectively use, understand, and evaluate technology.

Technological Maximality

The pursuit of achieving maximum technological capabilities.

Technological Unemployment

Job loss resulting from changes in technology.

Technological Tool

Devices used by humans to complete tasks.

Technology

The complex of knowledge, methods, and materials used to create technics.

Technology Assessment

Estimation of social, economic, health, and environmental impacts of technologies.

Technology Transfer

Transferring technics and related knowledge between organizations or societies.

Themata

Culturally generated assumptions that can influence scientific work.