Theories of Change PDF - HSB 4U1

THEORIES OF CHANGE HSB 4U1 What is a theory? What do you know about theories? Are the following statements true or false? 1. Theories are guesses of what someone or a group of people believes to be true. 2. Theories must be backed by evidence to be considered a theory....

THEORIES OF CHANGE HSB 4U1 What is a theory? What do you know about theories? Are the following statements true or false? 1. Theories are guesses of what someone or a group of people believes to be true. 2. Theories must be backed by evidence to be considered a theory. 3. Theories can be debunked (proven untrue) through new evidence provided.  Theories are: ★ a set of assumptions or ideas that attempt to explain something ★ are testable ★ supported by facts gathered from repeated research  What is the purpose of creating theories in the social sciences? ★ Theories are created to help explain and understand human behaviour. ★ Theories must be able to predict future behaviour. ★ Theories can help guide us to bring about change. THEORIES OF CHANGE ★ Open up your text to page 23 and read the paragraph after the heading, Theories of Change.  01 EVOLUTIONARY THEORY OF CHANGE What is the theory of evolution? Think SAP class! Evolutionary Theory of Change ★ examines the role and impact of progress in societies ★ societies evolve from simple beginnings to more complex societies, which should be a society’s goal ★ progress is measured by a society’s ability to move toward better living conditions, as well as its ability to innovate ★ change is a positive and beneficial force in society  02 CYCLICAL THEORY OF CHANGE Cyclical Theory of Change ★ change in society is like changing seasons (fall -> winter -> spring -> summer -> fall ->) ★ trends, traditions, beliefs, and values in society are cyclical (they come, they go, they come back) ★ cultural expressions follow a natural growth and demise pattern ★ suggests that a society reaches a certain level of power and relevance, and then dies off  03 THE CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE THEORY OF CHANGE The Challenge & Response Theory of Change ★ every society faces initial challenges posed by its physical environment and by internal and external forces aimed at its destruction ★ the ability to respond successfully to these threats will determine the society’s fate, and it’s a measure of a great society ★ new civilizations are built upon the mistakes of past cultures, & are careful to not repeat mistakes  04 THE FUNCTIONALIST THEORY OF CHANGE The Functionalist Theory of Change ★ Functionalists are interested in how society maintains stability and social order in the face of so many competing forces that drive change ★ stability is achieved through long held cultural patterns and traditions ★ society is affected by social institutions ★ in simple societies, there are fewer institutions that are responsible for maintaining many aspects of society (eg. the institution of family is responsible for reproduction, education, economic and social development) ★ in complex societies, many institutions are needed and are more focused (family gives up education)  05 CONFLICT THEORY OF CHANGE Conflict Theory of Change ★ was concerned with class inequality in Britain ★ conflict since change brings about conflict, and societies are continually changing, there is continual conflict ★ more modern interpretations are concerned with the conflict that exists between groups that have power and those who do not