Sociology And Social Change

Sociology and Social change are not words that the average person thinks about on a daily basis. However, these are definitely two areas that effect society on a regularly. Chapter one of the textbook discusses these subjects. This chapter gives a detailed view of the kinds of change, levels of change, and causes of change. Although these are not things that are pondered upon, the information outlined in chapter one helps clarify why and how things change. It can be extremely difficult to read about or research a topic and not know exactly what it is.
The first thing chapter one does is defines social change. The textbook’s definition of social change is “the significant alteration of social structure and cultural patterns through time. ” In other words, it’s when there has been a big enough change in society and its actions over time to make an impact. This section also breaks down social structure as the interactions between people and groups that have become predictable. After explaining specifically what social change is, the chapter then goes into more detail.
The next thing that it talks about is the kinds of change. There are five different kinds of change. The first is changes in personnel. This is the change where different individuals with their own unique pasts are constantly moving throughout social structures. Next is change in the way parts of the structure relate. This kind of change deals with the relationship roles, especially those in the family setting. The third kinds of change are changes in the function of the structures. This change is how and what is contributed to society.

Although an establishment is created to fulfill one particular need, it may very well adapt to assist with additional needs. Fourth, the next kinds of change are the changes in relationships between different structures. This is how certain organization may adapt over time to fulfill the needs of society at the time. Lastly, there is the emergence of new structures. The next section discusses the levels of change. There are three levels discussed in this section; micro, macro, and societal.
Micro level of change is the level of change that focuses on individuals and things that are of everyday concern to people. Macro level of change deals with society as a whole and how decisions are possibly formulated in society. Societal level of change is the changes that happen within the urbanized society. These changes take longer to occur and mostly affect choices between women and men, and marriage ideals. The section immediately following talks briefly about time frames of change.
This segment gives a synopsis of short term and long term change. Short term change is normally more noticeable and obvious. Long term change is oftentimes harder to recognize and has a larger influence. The last big section of this chapter talks about the causes of change. This portion starts off by identifying the difference in consequences and change. It clarifies that there is a difference but also states that there is a correlation. The next cause of change can be external or internal. These are also known as exogenous and endogenous.
External causes, as one assumes, are those beyond the control of one’s own power. Technology would be an example of external cause. Internal causes are those factors that happen naturally without any influence from outside forces. This section discussed three internal causes in particular. Those causes were the gap between the ideas that we share as society and the actual practices of society, the difference in what every individual learns and picks up in socialization, and the difference in the way individuals take on social roles and how they define them.
Chapter one is a great introductory chapter to social change. Chapter one is a great way to start this textbook off in showing the world of sociology. Not only does it explain what social change is, it gives exact reasons as to why. From the kinds of change, to the time frame of change, it is all relevant as to why society has reached its current culture. As well as why we are the people of society and how our actions have evolved over time.