Human societies have experienced

several major transformations to their

ways of life as a result of new inventions
and technologies being introduced
Major revolutions include:
Agricultural Revolution
Industrial Revolution
Information Revolution

It is an instrument of social change

Invention of the printing press in 1440 was

one of the most important technological
changes in human history
New technology expanded the process
of reading to the masses
Used to be reserved
only for monks

Over time, every person trained in the skill

of reading would have opportunity to
read a variety of mass-produced books
Technology brought change and the
opportunity for mass-learning
New technology made memorization
and oral repetition obsolete

People now had

access to books like
the Bible and could
interpret the
information for
themselves instead
of listening to priests
interpretation
This eventually led
to the Reformation

Another important invention: internet

Internet: global system of interconnected
computer networks that serve billions of
users worldwide
Consists of private,
public, academic,
business, and
government
networks

Carries an extensive range of information

resources and services
Reshaped traditional communications
media telephone, music, film, television

Invention and
creation of tools
make the process
of living easier
Method of
communication,
invention, or an
object that has a
practical use

New tools/objects that extend humans

natural abilities and alter their social
environments
Can have both + and consequences

Any technology, or medium is the

extension of some human quality
A book is an extension of the eyes
A wheel is an extension of the foot
A computer is an extension of the
brain and the central nervous system

1. Primitive Technology
Natural things people have adapted
for use to make such items as bows
and arrows, spears, clubs, and ploughs
pulled by draft animals

2. Industrial Technology
Machines such as the steam engine
and electrical and fuel powered
motors to run machinery

3. Informational Technology
Machines
that use a
microchip
or computer
to retrieve,
store, and
work with
information

Explanation

Cultural change and adaptation are

accompanied by acculturation
Process of adopting cultural traits or social
patterns of another group
Through incorporation, direct change,
and cultural evolution

Explanation

Structural-functionalists:
Change occurs
gradually rather
than
dramatically
because
society thrives
on stability and
equilibrium

Impact on Technology
As societies interact, a process of cultural
sharing occurs
Often involves sharing of technology,
which in turn causes social change
While society thrives on stability, technology
tends to destabilize society

Impact on Technology

New
technology
forces society
to find a way
to overcome
instability and
create a new
equilibrium

Explanation
The mental states of individuals can
influence social change
Social-Psychological Theory states believes:
Change occurs when individuals, driven
by a need for achievement, creates
theories and inventions that improve the
ability of society to function

Impact of Technology

The more mental stability is achieved by an

individual, the more that stability is exhibited
in society

Impact of Technology

Social-Psychological Theory: technology

arises out of the human need to achieve
Innovation is based
on the efforts of
individuals to
leave their mark
on their societies

Explanation

Social change arises from the decline of

certain civilizations, from cycles of growth
and decay, and progress
Change
occurs as
society
moves in
the
direction
of progress

Explanation

Factors affecting social change include

survival, conflict, and the quest for progress
Conflict Theory shares this perspective

Impact of Technology
Civilizations rise and fall based on ability to
create or adapt to new ideas and situations
Technology can be instrumental in the rise
or fall of a civilization
Ex. Roman military technology
contributed to its rise and its fall
Despite some periods of regression, society
continually improves
Technology and ideology is instrumental
to social change

Physical Tools
Can reduce amount of human time and
energy needed to produce goods, and
this saves labour (Ex. Hoes, ploughs)

Physical Tools
Can allow increase number & variety of
goods to be produced from a given area
of land (Ex. Fertilizer)

Physical Tools
Can allow people to produce goods that
human labour alone could not provide
(Ex. saw used to cut down large trees)

Cultural Knowledge

Methods used by people to exploit a

resource to its full potential, or to
recognize an object as being a useful
resource
Ex. Spear used to kill

a wild horse is a
physical technology,
while recognizing the
horse as a means of
transportation is
cultural knowledge

Cultural Knowledge

Change in either type of technology

will influence indigenous approaches to
resource management and land use

Please sit at one of the tables depending

on which role you would like to take
Historians
Theorists
Anthropologists
Social Psychologists
Philosophers
Maximum 6 people per table

Work together with your group members

on your assigned task
Use your textbook, p. 163-165 and p.
194-198 and the internet
Be prepared to share your work with the
rest of the class before it will be
displayed