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Theories of Social Change

Structural Functionalist Theory

  • the structural functionalist theory can be used to understand deviance and the cycle of crime (crime, public outrage and punishments, accepting moral principles and guideline, and deviants)
  • This theory keeps people from destroying themselves, as social organization, institutions and culture are needed to make societies functional
  • This theory encourages universal change, as a change in one institution will affect other institutions, either in negative or positive ways.

Structural Functionalist

Conflict Theory

Conflict

  • The Conflict Theory exhibits change in a forceful way, as power is the main focus, with the power of different function determining social order
  • However, the competition causes social imbalance, which can be resolved by resolution and balance of powers
  • This theory could propose a resistance to change, as race, gender and social class are important factors in societal order, causing certain groups to benefit more than others.
  • This could also be a motivating factor to change, as people would aim towards equality, instead of gaining power

Feminism

  • the Feminist Theory originates from women's suffrage, gender inequality and liberation
  • This theory focuses on equality and equity between the sexes, as women have not been seen as equal in many social institutions
  • Feminism allows for encouragement towards change in a positive way, as it focuses on sexual orientation, race, economic status and nationality, which are all issues faced by women around the world

Cultural Materialism

Cultural Materialism

  • According to the Cultural Materialism Theory, social change depends on a society's infrastructure, structure and superstructure.
  • This theory suggests that the physical world impacts and sets constraints on human behavior, meaning that the environment, resources, technology and material items are major influences of cultural change.
  • Therefore, it can be said that there is a resistance to social change, as each society is limited by the resources that can be found in their natural environment and economic development

Cognitive Theory

Cognitive

  • The Cognitive Theory focuses on people being able to learn by observing others and changing their behavior accordingly.
  • This theory also suggests using punishment and reinforcement to alter behavior in order to accomplish the goals that people set for themselves
  • Social change may be resisted because this theory uses punihsment and reinforcement to change the behavior of society, which could come in the form of military aid.

Humanism Theory

  • The Huamnism Theory uses an individual's view of themselves, as well as the world around them to determine their outlook

Humanism

Intersectionality Theory

Intersectionality

  • The Intersectionality Theory focuses on different forms of discrimination overlap (ex. race and gender, or class, race and gender)
  • Intersectionality examines the uniqueness of people, as well as their ability to choose their own qualities and attributes.
  • Social change is encouraged with this theory, as people are made aware of the different outlooks and ideal qualities that cultures have, therefore resulting in major social change events.
  • Also, by focusing on the uniqueness of individuals, less descrimination may occur, resulting in an encouragement of social change
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