SOCIAL CHANGE

Social change is the alteration of mechanisms within the social structure, characterized by
changes in cultural symbols, rules of behavior, social organizations, or value systems.
Throughout the historical development of their discipline, sociologists have borrowed
models of social change from other academic fields. In the late 19th century,
when evolution became the predominant model for understanding biological change, ideas of
social change took on an evolutionary cast, and, though other models have refined modern
notions of social change, evolution persists as an underlying principle.
Social change refers to an alteration in the social order of a society. It may refer to the
notion of social progress or socio Cultural Revolution, the philosophical idea that society moves
forward by dialectical or evolutionary means. It may refer to a paradigmatic change in the socioeconomic structure, for instance a shift away from feudalism and towards capitalism.
Accordingly it may also refer to social revolution, such as the Socialist revolution
presented in Marxism, or to other social movements, such as Women's suffrage or the Civil rights
movement. Social change may be driven by cultural, religious, economic, scientific or
technological forces. More generally, social change may include changes in nature, social
institutions, social behaviors or social relations.
THEORIES OF SOCIAL CHANGE
Some social changes are almost always occurring, but many different theories have
attempted to explain significant social changes in history.
FUNCTIONALIST THEORIES:
T. Parsons viewed that society as being in a natural state of equilibrium. By the term
equilibrium model a change may occur in one part of society, adjustment must be made in
other parts. If not , society's equilibrium will be threatened and stains will occur.
EVOLUTIONARY THEORY:

The pioneering work Charles Darwin in biological evolution contributed to 19th centuries
of social change. Darwin's approach stresses a continuing progression of successive life forms.
Early evolutionary theorists generally agreed that society was progressing inevitably to a higher
state as might be expected. They concluded in ethnocentric fashion that their own behavior and
culture were more advanced than those of earlier civilizations. Similarly, Emile Durkheim
maintained that society progressed from simple to more complex forms of social organization.
CONFLICT THEORY:
According to conflict theorists, changes have crucial significance since it is needed to
correct social injustice and inequalities. According to Marx, History proceeds through a series of
stages, each of which exploits a class of people. Ancient people exploited slaves, the estates
system of feudalism exploited serfs.
Modern capitalist society exploits theworking class. According to him, ultimately human
society will move toward the final stage of development: a classless communist society or
community of free individuals. Marx argues that conflict is a normal and desirable aspect of
social change. In fact, change must be encouraged as a means of eliminating social inequalities.
TYPE S OF SOCIAL CHANGE
Civilization Change
It refers to the dress, food habits, production technologies, communication system, etc.
Cultural Change
It is associated with new knowledge. Religion, rituals, arts, literature etc.
Change In Social Relationship
It is the relationship between the father and son, teacher and student, husband and wife, etc.
FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
Geographical factors like climatic conditions that influence the climatic conditions.
Psychological factors like motivation, individualization etc
Sociological factors like social conflicts, social oppressions, modernization etc.

These also play an important role to social change. For example: War due to religion, ethnic
tensions, competition for resources, gender and womens movement like for equal payment and
property. Race and Civil Rights Movement, collective political power, homosexuality
becoming more available, but still denied civil and human rights. But Positive Outcomes are
like solidarity, safety notions, positively social development, welfare activities are enhancing.
Explosion of population.
The environmental factors like newly built cities, industrialized and urbanized natural
environment. When large populations live in urban areas rather than rural areas known as
urbanization. Usually results from economic opportunities: either people move to a city for
jobs, or rural areas become the sites of large businesses which lead to population growth.
The scientific and technological factors like technical advancements, new inventions, modern
machineries, tools, etc.
The ideological factors like social philosophy, political philosophy and religious philosophy.
Rise of capitalism in the world, due to religious beliefs Protestantism emerged and many other
work ethics developed in the work place. Religious beliefs sometimes lead to revolution and
civil wars which lead to new countries. Like in Iran, Islamic revolution occurred in 1979 and
developed a Islamic republic.
The legislative factors like legislation on temple entry, banning child marriages etc.
The impact of western civilization and cultural diffusion. Population in the world is adopting
new goods and services from anywhere he or she stays. Much of the materialist products are
being applied to following the marketing policy. (Celebrities campaigns in drinking milk, cold

drinks), public health (birth control in less developed countries) etc.

Contact of people with different countries.
Explosion of population.
The level of education and literacy attained by the society.
Modernization of the society.
New attitudes to wealth, work, saving and risk taking.
War, natural calamities, revolutions, migration of people, etc.

EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE

The role of education as an agent or instrument of social change and social development is
widely recognized today. Social change may take place - when humans need change. When the
existing social system or network of social institutions fails to meet the existing human needs and
when new materials suggest better ways of meeting human needs. Education scan initiate social
changes by bringing about a change in outlook and attitude of man. It can bring about a change in
the pattern of social relationships and thereby it may cause social changes.
3

Earlier educational institutions and teachers used to show a specific way of life to the
students and education was more a means of social control than an instrument of social change.
Modern educational institutions do not place much emphasis upon transmitting a way of life to the
students. The traditional education was meant for an unchanging static society not marked by any
change. But today education aims at imparting knowledge. Education was associated with religion.
EDUCATION AND CULTURE
Education encompasses teaching and learning specific skills and also something less
tangible but more profound: the imparting of knowledge good judgment and wisdom. Durkheim sees
education as the socialization of the younger generation .It is a continuous effort to impose on the
child ways of seeing, feeling and acting which he could not have arrived at spontaneously.
Education has as one of its fundamental goals the imparting of culture from generation to
generation. Culture is a growing whole. There can be no break in the continuity of culture. The
cultural elements are passed on through the agents like family, school and other associations.
All societies maintain themselves through their culture. Culture here refers to a set of
beliefs, skills, art, literature, philosophy, religion, music etc which must be learned. This social
heritage must be transmitted through social organizations. Education has this function of cultural
transmission in all societies.
The curriculum of a school, its extra-curricular activities and the informal relationships
among students and teachers communicate social skills and values. Through various activities school
imparts values such as co-operation, team spirit, obedience, discipline etc. Education acts an
integrative force in the society by communicating values that unites different sections of society.
The school teaches skills to the children which help them later to integrate within the culture
of the society. Education in its formal or informal pattern has been performing this role since time
immemorial. Education can be looked upon as process from this point of view also. Education has
brought phenomenal changes in every aspect of man's life.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Education and social change is a two - way traffic. While education preserves, transmits and
disseminates the whole culture.social change is the instrument and precondition of educational
thought.
EDUCATION AS A CONDITON OF SOCIAL CHANGE
It is noted that social change is impossible without education. Education makes the people
aware of the inadequacies of the existing system and creates a craze for social reform. Many of the
old superstitions, beliefs and outdated customs. Which is retard social progress, can be prevented by
education.
EDUCATION AS AN INSTRUMENT OF SOCIAL CHANGE
Education is considered as a powerful instrument for social change, because it deals mainly
with the thought patterns and behavior patterns of younger generation. The axe of education can cut
down the thick roots of traditional superstitions, ignorance and the backwardness. Education
prepares the people for social change.
EDUCATION AS AN EFFECT OF SOCIAL CHANGE
In the wake of social change, people become aware of the need for educational progress. The
changes caused by the political upheaval, industrialization, technological progress and religious
reform movements naturally demands more education in order to maintain social equilibrium. In
India the enrolment in educational institutions has increased enormously since independence.
It can summarize the following relationship between education and social change in the
following ways:
Education initiates the social change and gives them direction and purpose.
Education creates the social reformers and leaders who consciously make all the efforts to
bring about social changes.
Education prepares the individual for social changes. It brings a change in the need dispositions and also creates frustrations with the status quo.
Education determines the nature of social changes, which ought to be brought about.