Anthropological Theories About Social Change Social Science Perspectives

Anthropological Theories About Social Change

Social Science Perspectives Cause of Social Change: Anthropology Social Change is due to the fact that cultures are a consistently changing organism Psychology Social Change is caused by the changes in the behaviours of many individuals Sociology Social change refers to the massive shift in the behaviours and attitudes of groups and whole societies, therefore change is inevitable.

The San of Southern Africa

Minds on activity: Read article in small groups answer the questions #1 -3 Respond: Discuss as a class

Theory of Cultural Change n All the cultural changes that were forced on the San came from INTERACTION (contact with other cultures). n most anthropologists believe that the most far-reaching cultural changes come from contact with other cultures. n In many cases, as seen in the San, cultures do not want to accept change but are forced to do so by more powerful cultures.

The Gods Are Crazy Cultural Comparison n http: ///watch? v=oee. Iu C 77 NVM n http: //www. youtube. co m/watch? v=k 1 Kj 4 T 4 w sd. M&NR=1 San Tribe Kalahwww. youtube. comari Desert, 1980

How can cultures adapt and change?

Anthropologies have classified forces that influences cultures to adapt and change: 1. 2. 3. Diffusion Acculturation (two forms: incorporation and directed Change) Cultural evolution

How can cultures adapt and change? n 1) Diffusion: occurs when one culture borrows cultural symbols from another. Smoking tobacco is originally a North American product learned from aboriginals that Europeans brought to Africa.

2. Acculturation: results from prolonged contact between two cultures during which time they interchange symbols, beliefs and customs. This can happen in two ways. Two forms: n Incorporation n Directed Change

n A) Incorporation: when people freely borrow selected elements from one culture (ie. Canoe)

n B) Directed Change: when one culture defeats or otherwise controls another and forces it to changes aspects of its culture.

n 3) Cultural Evolution: cultures evolve according to common patterns. They move from hunter-gathering cultures to industrialized states in predictable stages.

Acculturation Example of Direct Change

Residential Schools Belief : n In the 19 th century, the Canadian government believed aboriginal peoples were primitive cultures and it was the state’s responsible to educating and caring for the country's aboriginal people. n Aboriginals had to assimilate to Canadian culture and their best chance for success was to learn English and adopt Christianity and Canadian customs. n Ideally, aboriginals would pass their adopted lifestyle on to their children, and native traditions would diminish, or be completely abolished in a few generations. Implementation : n The Canadian government developed a policy called "aggressive assimilation" to be taught at church-run, government-funded industrial schools, later called residential schools. n The government felt children were easier to mould than adults, and the concept of a boarding school was the best way to prepare them for life in mainstream society.

A look at Canadian Aboriginals n St. Joseph Residential School, also known as the Crowfoot School (Alberta 1890). The Canadian government made Aboriginal cultures change by forcing Aboriginal children into residential schools.

Results: n From 19 Th century to 1996 (which was when the last school closed) over 150, 000 native children were removed from their communities and forced to attend school.

Thinking questions: n In what ways could this change Aboriginal culture? n How is this an example of directed change? n How is racism involved?

n Though the Catholic church oversaw threequarters of Canadian residential schools, it was the last church to have one of its leaders officially address the abuse. n On April 29, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his "sorrow" to a delegation from Canada's Assembly of First Nations for the abuse and "deplorable" treatment that aboriginal students suffered at Roman Catholic Church-run