Sociocultural evolution describes how cultures and societies change over time through processes like invention, discovery, and diffusion of new ideas and technologies. Key factors driving sociocultural change include the shift from rural to urban living, changes in economic systems from agricultural to industrial, the rise of democratic ideals promoting individual freedom, and greater participation of women in activities outside the home. There are several theories that attempt to explain sociocultural change, including evolutionary theory which views change as progress towards higher levels, conflict theory which sees change as a way to remedy social inequalities, and equilibrium theory which argues societies seek to maintain stability and balance when changes in one area require adjustments in others.
2. Social change Cultural Change
Refers to any
significant alteration
over time in behavior
patterns and cultural
values and norms.
The belief that
culture is
symbolically coded
and can thus is taught
from one person to
another means that
cultures, although
bounded, can change.
3. Factors of Socio-cultural
change
O Shift from rural to urban life;
O From agricultural to industrial economy;
O The introduction of democratic pattern and their
focus on individual freedom and initiative;
O Keen competition for economic survival so that
both parents are forced to work
O Greater opportunities for personal and professional
enhancement;
O Increased participation of women in activities
outside the house
9. Evolution Theory
OAccording to evolutionary theory,
society moves in specific directions.
Therefore, early social evolutionists
saw society as progressing to higher
and higher levels. As a result, they
concluded that their own cultural
attitudes and behaviors were more
advanced than those of earlier
societies.
10. Conflict Theory
OConflict theorists maintain that,
because a society's wealthy and
powerful ensure the status quo in
which social practices and
institutions favorable to them
continue, change plays a vital role
in remedying social inequalities
and injustices.
12. Equilibrium Theory
OChanges in one aspect of society
require adjustments in other aspects.
When these adjustments do not
occur, equilibrium disappears,
threatening social order. Parsons'
equilibrium theory incorporates the
evolutionary concept of continuing
progress, but the predominant theme
is stability and balance.