Sociological Theories about Social Change

Sociological Theories Ideas about Social Change came later than the other two disciplines Structural-Functionalism was the main focus of Sociology during the early 20th century Looked more at social structure rather than social change Tried to identify which social institutions influenced society

Seeking Equilibrium   In early 20 th century – when Social change happened it was the result of process of tension & adaptation

Tension & adaptation   Tension & adaptation   When one part of the social system changes tension arises between that part and the rest.   Tension can’t last forever so...members of society will seek to reduce tension by adapting other aspects of society

Can you think of any examples of Tension & Adaptation?

What kind of social change is taking place here?

What kind of tension & adaptation is happening here?

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Theoretical Models   Accumulation   Growth as a result from human knowledge from generation to generation

Diffusion of innovations   A new development emerges onto society   Can be knowledge, belief, fashion or thousands of other new developments

Diffusion of innovations   Two things influence the spread (diffusion) of new innovations into society   Who adopts it   Who speaks in favour of it

Diffusion of innovations

Leading Early Sociologist   Immanuel Wallerstein   Focus on the natural international trade and economics   Challenged the idea that many nations remained poor do to lack of effective leadership   Argued that it was capitalism that made western nations rich not colonialism

  Countries in Western Europe were in the core of the capitalism system and therefore became rich   Countries that exported resource and had little to no economic investment into the country are referred to as on the periphery and remained poor   Poorer countries that make some economic improvement are referred to as on the semi- periphery

Leading early Sociologist   Dorothy Smith   Specialized on communication patterns and the technologies that they rely on

Communication   People tend to communicate better with people they have something in common with - discourse   Smith examined the difference in the ways we communicate depending on groups we are with. For example, how do we communicate with those at school versus those at work?

Dorothy Smith   Smith argued that the effects of certain discourse limited women’s position in society

What are these images communicating?

Textual discourse   People communicate ideas and values through symbols, movie roles, paintings, photographs....

Textual Discourse & Social Change   Smith argued it is important to understand textual discourse when trying to engineer social change.