TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL CHANGE TECHNOLOGY RAPID FIRE You

TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL CHANGE

TECHNOLOGY – RAPID FIRE! ○ ○ You have 2 minutes! List 15 pieces of technology that has been created in the last 50 years GO!

TECHNOLOGY ○ ○ ○ The creation of new tools that extend our natural abilities and alter our social environment Marshall Mc. Luhan – technology is the extension of the human quality (wheel is the extension of the foot, computer is the extension of the brain) How many “extensions” have you used in the past 24 hours? To what extent has that technology changed the social environment?

WHAT STARTS CHANGE: INDIVIDUAL OR TECHNOLOGY? ○ ○ ○ Social Change Theory – examines what factors contribute to the change in the structure of society Many traditional theories state that change is initiated by the individual and might be in the form of technology as a response See chart pg 106

THORNSTEIN VEBLEN – AMERICAN SOCIOLOGIST ○ ○ Veblen pioneered the concept of Technological Determinism – the view that social change is initiated by technology and not necessarily the individual Why do we hover around our TV? Computers? Cell phones? Veblen would argue that, although these devices were created for a purpose, they have more profound effect on our lives than we might care to admit Conspicuous Consumption – publicly demonstrating excessive wealth

Coping with Technological Change ○ ○ New technologies can improve our society They can also come with stress/anxiety for us as well!

Problems with New Technology ○ 1. New technology can have negative side effects – health issues, negative influences (I can learn how to make methamphetamine on youtube…) ○ 2. Keeping up to speed with technology Future shock – dizzying orientation brought on by premature arrival of the future ● How might this affect the economy? Family unit? Income? ● ○ 3. Overdependence on Technology Technosis – overblown attachment/dependence on technology ● Feel “out of touch” when they don’t check their email ● Phobias-additions? ●

Cultural Lag Theory ○ William Ogburn His theory describes how people deal with change Technology is integrated into society if it achieves three phases : invention, discovery, and diffusion ○ Only hindered by resistance ○ Technology temporarily destabilizes society until it adapts ○ ○ 8

Cultural Lag Theory ○ ○ 1. Invention ○ Combining elements and materials to form new ones ○ Can be material inventions or social movements (e. g. Computers, women's rights) 2. Discovery ○ Discovering reality in a new way ○ A combination of discovery and the right timing can initiate social change 9

Cultural Lag Theory ○ 3. Diffusion ○ The spread of discovery from one area to another ○ Accompanied by acceptance for technology by societies ○ Does this process accurately describe how technology is integrated into society? LUDDITE- person who opposes technological advancement- oppose new technology and do what they can to halt its progress ○ 10

Technology and the Family ○ How has the family been impacted by technology? ○ If your notes, make a T-chart, outline the pros and cons of how technology impacts the family ○ Obviously, technology is not going anywhere. How do you/your family cope with this current change in our society? 11

Technology and the Future ○ Evaluate the impacts of technology on education? Medicine? ○ How has technology affected other social structures in our society? 12