Social Change Answers

People often borrow ideas, beliefs, and material objects from other societies. This process of spreading culture traits from one society to another is called diffusion.

A change in the size of the population may bring about changes in the culture. For example, food brought to this country by immigrant groups have become common in many American kitchens. Population increases and decreases affect the economy. For example, by increasing the demand for goods and services, a growing population may increase employment and stimulate the economy. An increase in the general population also means that there are more people occupying the same amount of space, which creates more crowded conditions. In addition, the larger population brings increased demand for energy, food, housing, schools, stores, and transportation. People also bring about changes simply by moving from one place to another. Migrations of people within a country can cause social changes, such as the loss of regional distinction within the country. Social and cultural changes also result from changes in the average age of a population. When fewer people are having babies, for example, there is less need for schools, recreation centers, and other services geared toward children.

Technology can change society through what becomes popular, like the cell phones that most people today carry with them, and the fact that they have evolved into phones with computer capabilities. There are also needs that arise as a result of a growing use of technology that influences change, like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome causing changes in the workplace, or a growing need for more technology like floppy discs changing to compact discs and DVD’s

Natural disasters such as droughts, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and tidal waves can also produce social and cultural change. These disasters can destroy whole communities. Afterward, people often take precautions for the future. Dams may be built to lessen the effects of floods and droughts. People may also adopt new construction methods to enable buildings to better withstand earthquakes or tornadoes.

Wars and conquests are not as common as other sources of social change. However, they probably bring about the greatest change in the least amount of time. War causes the loss of many lives. It brings about the destruction of property and leads to the rise of new cities and towns that must be built to replace those destroyed. In addition, war causes changes in the economy as industry focuses on producing war materials rather than consumer goods. For example, after September 11, 2001, some industries contributed to the war on terrorism by providing military supplies and services. War can also promote advances in technology and medicine that can have civilian applications. War may also result in changes in government as new rulers come to power. These changes may contribute to new economic policies and political rights.

Societies often adapt the culture traits they borrow to suit their own particular needs. For example, many of the societies in Africa, Asia, and South America that have adopted Christianity have blended Christian beliefs with elements of their traditional religions. Sociologists refer to this process of adapting borrowed cultural traits as reformulation.

values and beliefs, technology, population, diffusion, the physical environment, and wars and conquests

Ideologies are often spread through social movements. A social movement is a long-term conscious effort to promote or prevent social change. Social movements usually involve large numbers of people. Examples of social movements include the prohibition movement and the civil rights movement.