Social Change Assignment 1 PDF

Social Change  Learning Goals Identify the overall factors that affect social change Identify current-day examples of social change Explain how social change occurs through a sociological, anthropological, and psychological lens Examine the social impacts of conspiracy th...

Social Change  Learning Goals Identify the overall factors that affect social change Identify current-day examples of social change Explain how social change occurs through a sociological, anthropological, and psychological lens Examine the social impacts of conspiracy theories Use current research to examine how to change someone’s personal views  Discussion: Discussion: Who or what do YOU think are the most powerful force for creating change in our society? Government? Corporations? Citizens? Why?  Saying No! In Greece Watch the first 5 minutes of this video and answer the questions. 1. What change are the activists trying to spark? Why? 2. What strategies did they use? 3. How did the government and police respond? 4. What examples are there in our community of people speaking up about issues? How to Change the Mind of a Conspiracy Theorist Read the linked article and answer the questions: 1. How can conspiracy theories affect societal change? 2. What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation? 3. What is inoculation? Is it effective? 4. What strategies are ineffective? 5. What strategies are effective? General Factors that Influence Social Change  Accumulation Through the growth of human knowledge from generation to generation, society develops new ways of doing things. As economic or technological changes take place, social change follows. ○ Example: Televisions! In the 1950s, televisions were expensive in Canada, and the whole family would sit down to watch together. Families would communicate with each other about what programs to watch on the one or two channels available. With technical advancements, the cost has come down. More people can now afford a television set. Improved economic conditions allow us to have multiple televisions per household and families do not talk as much about television and watch television alone.  Diffusion of Innovation A new development or innovation emerges in society (eg: new fashion, technology, slang, etc.) 2 things can spread (diffuse) the change. ○ Who adopts it Is it cool or uncool? Is it someone we copy? ○ Who speaks in its favour Is this someone we trust? Someone we look up to? ○ Makes people more receptive to change  Discourses We tend to be more honest and talk more when in groups of like- minded people. Members of the group understand the meaning of terms often used within the group. Members of the group share strong opinions. If we can understand and counteract negative discourses, we can create change. ○ Ie: understanding discourses about women in hollywood (pretty, thin, movie star, etc.)  6 other factors that can cause social change Geography External Events Human Factors The growth of The American Revolution Capitalism developed in industrialization in succeeded in the 1770s northwest Europe Europe occurred after because, although the because rival systems led the Europeans sailed British should have won to the development of across the Atlantic. the war, the commanders city-states and the Europeans used their were divided. The growth of strong colonies in North and American commanders merchants. South America as a were united. source of raw materials and as a market for manufactured products.  6 other factors that can cause social change Cultural Pluralism Technology Aboriginal Communities In modern, culturally To understand the type of pluralistic societies (in The creation of Canada in social change that FNMI which minorities 1867 an the spread of communities in Canada maintain their cultural European immigrants would like to see, we values), it is necessary to throughout Canada would must appreciate that they find consensus in basic not have been possible see themselves as an values and beliefs in without railways. autonomous nation order to find a collective within the Canadian will to take action on state, not as ethnic social issues. groups within Canada. How do sociologists, anthropologists and psychologists analyse change? Sociological Change  Sociological Change Change occurs in groups and whole societies. Change will always happen and are shared experiences.  Sociological Change Sociologists have many theories on how and why change happens: ○ Decay due to declining spiritualism ▪ How does a decline in spiritualism affect society? ○ Change happens in cycles of growth and decay ▪ Can you think of any modern examples of growth and decay? Social changes are not uniform ○ Different societies develop differently. ▪ How has society developed differently between the USA and Canada? Discussion: How would a sociologist look at COVID-19? In what ways did COVID cause growth and decay?  Anthropological Change With your elbow partner, list 10 ways in which culture has changed in the 2000s. Refer to the list of ways in which society can change. Make sure these changes relate to culture. ○ Ie: clothing, fashion, media Write each aspect on a sticky note Organize the ways in which culture has changed from least to most impactful. Be ready to share your thoughts with the class! a  Anthropological Change Anthropological change is constant and steady. Think about how life has changed from your grandparents’ generation to today. Changes varies by country, economy, and connectedness to the world ○ Change is much more rapid and widespread now than pre-globalization. Change is driven by discovery, invention, diffusion  Psychological Change People’s attitudes and behaviours are strongly connected. If attitudes change, so too does behaviour. How is behaviour modified? ○ Friends, family, new information, new experiences, etc.  Psychological Change How do we change our minds? ○ Cognitive consistency- cognitive consistency can be defined as the concept that individuals have a preference for their thoughts, beliefs, knowledges, opinions, attitudes, and intents to be congruent, which is to say that they don’t contradict each other Examples for Cognitive Consistency Examples for Cognitive Consistency  Psychological Change ○ Cognitive dissonance- Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes. People tend to seek consistency in their attitudes and perceptions, so this conflict causes unpleasant feelings of unease or discomfort  Examples of Cognitive Dissonance Feeling uncomfortable before doing something or making a decision Trying to justify or rationalize a decision you've made or action you have taken Feeling embarrassed or ashamed about something you've done and trying to hide your actions from other people Experiencing guilt or regret about something you've done in the past  Psychological Change Paradigm Shift- an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different way Discussion: How did COVID-19 psychologically affect children?