1. How our culture has changed over time
Social Change
How our culture has changed over time

2. Social Change - Jeannette
In what ways has the society/culture at Jeannette High School changed over the past ten years?
How has it remained the same?

3. Sources of Social Change
What causes social change?
1. Values and beliefs
2. Technology
3. Population
4. Diffusion
5. Physical Environment
6. Wars and Conquests

4. Values and Beliefs
Ideology – A system of beliefs or ideas that justifies the social, moral, religious, political, or economic interests held by a group or by society
Ideologies often spread through social movements
A social movement is a long-term conscious effort to promote or prevent social change.
What are some examples of social movements?

5. Social Movement 1
The Prohibition Movement

6. Social Movement 2
The Women’s Rights Movement

7. Social Movement 3
The Peace Movement

8. Social Movement 4
The Gay Rights Movement

9. Social Movement 5
The Civil Rights Movement

10. Social Movement 6
The Environmental Movement

11. Technology
Technology – The knowledge and tools people use to manipulate their environment
Material Inventions:
Computers, Social Media, Twitter
Nonmaterial Inventions:
Political Movements
Religious Movements

12. Population
Changes in the size of the population will bring changed in culture
New People = New Cultures
What are some common foods that did NOT originate in this country?

13. Population How can population affect the economy?
Growing population will stimulate the economy
Declining population will need fewer goods and services
How can the age of the population impact social and cultural changes?
Fewer babies = Less need for schools, rec centers

14. Diffusion
Diffusion – Borrowing ideas, beliefs, and material objects from other societies
How has technology increased cultural diffusion?

15. Diffusion
Societies generally adopt material culture and technology more freely than ideas and beliefs
Material Culture:
Tools, Weapons
Ideas and Beliefs:
Government
Religion

16. Diffusion Works Both Ways
Culture adopted by America:
Pasta from Italy
Sushi from Japan
Golf from Scotland

17. Diffusion Works Both Ways
American culture adopted by other countries:
American movies
American music
American cars
Soft drinks
Fast food

18. Physical Environment
The physical environment can encourage or discourage cultural change
Natural disasters (floods, earthquakes)
Natural Resources:
High Fuel Prices
Fuel Shortages
Hybrid Cars

19. Wars and Conquests
Bring the greatest change in the shortest amount of time
Property destroyed/rebuilt
Advances in technology
Changes in economy
Changes in government
September 11, 2001

20. Resistance to Change Resistance #1 – Ethnocentrism
Change that comes from outside a society is often met with strong resistance
People tend to believe that their own ideas and ways of doing things are the best
Extreme ethnocentrism can make cultural change difficult or even impossible
Example: Only buying American products

21. Resistance to Change Resistance #2 – Cultural Lag
Cultural lag – Some traits change rapidly, some traits take more time
Material culture changes faster than nonmaterial
Why do we have a summer break?
Children were needed to work on farms
Farming has decreased…summer breaks still exist

22. Resistance to Change Resistance #3 – Vested Interests
Resistant to changes that threaten their standard of living
An imperfect present is better than an unknown future