SOC 101 CH 18

social change

Refers to small group changes to national-level, or global-level transformations

- Can take place on micro or macro level

Societal change

changes that occur throughout social structure of entire society

Societies

entities comprised of those people who share a common culture

functionalist perspective

As societies develop, they become more complex and interdependent
- seeking equilibrium or status quo

Differentiation

Development of increasing social complexity through specialized social roles and institutions

division of labor

characterized by the sorting of people into interdependent occupational and task categories (and, by extension, class categories)

mechanical solidarity

traditional bonds based on similarity (small town)

organic solidarity

modern industrial, bonds based on specialization and interdependence (big city)

independence

Differentiation can also lead to greater _ and/or de-differentiation

evolutionary theory

Assume societies develop linearly from “simple” and “primitive” into more “complicated” and “civilized” forms

- Modern societies believed “more evolved” than earlier “primitive” ones
- Used to justify colonization and imperialism

multilinear

multiple paths to societal change

conflict perspective

- Societal change is inevitable
- Inequality will continually result in the demand for social change

lower

Conflict is _ where authority is more dispersed, rather than concentrated in an elite

Marx

sociologist that proposed conscious working class will rise and overthrow capitalism

Gramsci

philosopher that proposed people consent to own domination by accepting ruling class hegemonies

Dahrendorf

a theorist that proposed distribution of authority determines probability of conflict

lower

Conflict is _ where authority is more dispersed, rather than concentrated in an elite

rise and fall theory

Change reflects cycle of growth and decline, rather than forward direction

- Shift between different mentalities: primacy to the senses; religiosity; logic and reason

- As nations grow in economic power, seek world military power, leads to collapse

- Increasingly governed by rationality, rules, regulations, which can also result in irrationality

collective behavior

voluntary, goal-oriented action, relatively disorganized situations, predominant social norms and values cease to govern

crowds

temporary gatherings of closely interacting people with common focus

Contagion Theory

people revert to herd like behavior in large crowds

emergent norms

norms created to support collective action, crowd adheres to norms

bandwagoning

some discredit collective behavior as _

Value-Added theory

Micro and macro level factors contribute and converge

sources of social change

- Structural conduciveness involves social conditions that allow the behavior to occur.

- Structural strain occurs when an important aspect of a social system is seen as causing problems.

- Growth and spread of a generalized belief occurs when people begin to see an event as a widespread problem.

- Precipitating factors include an incident or dramatic experience that triggers an event.
Mobilizing people for action occurs when leaders emerge

- The failure of social control leaves those charged with maintaining law and order unable to do so in the face of mounting pressures for collective action.

fads

temporary, highly irritated outbreaks of middle unconventional behavior
ex: diets, games styles

fashion

somewhat long-lasting style of imitative behavior or appearance

undermines

success _ attractiveness

riot

illegal, prolonged outbreak of violent behavior by large group against individuals or property
ex: prison riot, urban street riot

panic

massive flight from something feared
ex: snow warning, mayan calendar (end of world)

Craze

intense attraction to an object, person, or activity
ex: video game, music artist, movie premiere

rumors

unverified information transmitted informally, usually originating from unknown source

Urban Legends

Tap into collectively held beliefs, fears, hopes

social movements

A large number of people come together in continued, organized effort to bring about or resist social change

non-instutionalized action

marches, boycotts, demonstrations, civil disobedience
- traditionally lack access to political power

reformist

seek change within existing economic and political system
- Address legal institutions

Women’s suffrage

Civil Rights Movement, Labor Movements, Same-sex marriage rights Movement

utopian

To withdraw from society and create a idealistic community

revolutionary

seek to fundamentally alter existing economic, political, social system, vision of a new social order

rebellion

seek to overthrow existing system but lack plan for new social order

reactionary

seek to restore earlier social system along with traditional norms, values that accompanied it
- Countermovement or resistance movement
- mythical past

New Social Movements

Fundamentally concerned with quality of private life, advocate large-scale change

social movement characteristics

- Address control of symbols and information
- Value participation for its own sake
- Day-to-day networks of people
- Interconnectedness: Think globally, act locally

activism likely

- Had prior contact with movements
- Social networks support movements
- Personal or family history of activism
- Lack of practical constraints
- Sense of moral rightness

Free rider problem

people avoid costs of activism (time, energy, resources) and still benefit from its success

Resource mobilization Theory

ability of SMOs to generate money, membership, political support

Grassroots organizing

mobilize support among ordinary members in community

Conscience constituents

not directly affected by the cause, but provide resources