TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL
CHANGE
TECHNOLOGY – RAPID FIRE!
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You have 2 minutes!
List 15 pieces of
technology that has
been created in the
last 50 years 
GO!
TECHNOLOGY
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The creation of new tools that extend our natural
abilities and alter our social environment
Marshall McLuhan – 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?
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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
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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
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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.
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 3.
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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?
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
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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
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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?
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Technology and the Future
 Evaluate
the impacts of technology on education?
Medicine?
 How
has technology affected other social
structures in our society?
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