Sociology

Sociology Study Guide

Chapter 7: Social Processes, Part 2 Objectives 1. To identify sources of social change. 2. To know relevant theories of social change. 3. To understand collective behavior. 4. To differentiate the kinds of crowds. 5. To accurately identify types of mass behavior. 6. To identify social movements. Societies change – sometimes slowly and inevitably, sometimes rapidly and with great effort. This chapter explores the social processes involved in that change, including mass behavior and social movement theory. 7.1 Social Change Social change is a process of altering patterns of social behavior, social relationships, and social structures over time. For example, over the last 200 years, America has changes from an agricultural society to an industrial society. Over that same time span, other societies have not changed as much. Sociologists aim to explore the reasons for those differences and the dynamics of the actual changes. August Comte, the first to coin the term ‘sociology,’ thought that the study of social change could make it possible to plan the future. Theories • Sociocultural-EvolutionTheory: Sociocultural evolution is the tendency for social structures to become more complex over time. This theory asserts that some simple societies grow from simple hunting-and-gathering societies into industrial and postindustrial societies. There are many patterns of development with variations available in each path; not every society forms the same, takes the same course, or grows at the same pace. • Functionalist Theory: Talcott Parsons elaborated on Emile Durkheim’s functionalist base to create a theory that explained social change. Parsons dictated that the different interdependent parts of society all contribute to that society’s health and strength. He posited that a change in one aspect of a society causes changes in other parts as the entire system seeks a new equilibrium. Thus, social change occurs out of the needs of every part. • Conflict Theory: Conflict theorists focus on the conflict and tensions between all competing interests in a society, whether they are class or social tensions. They feel that conflict is inevitable and a normal part of change. Conflict theory does not adequately explain all forms of social change, but this theory is particularly adept at explaining such social change phenomena as civil rights and women’s rights.

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