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Chapter 2: The Study of Social Change

  • Page ID
    330728
    • Aimee Samara Krouskop, Ben Cushing, Kimberly Puttman, and Avery Temple
    • Open Oregon

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    Learning Objectives

    This chapter offers you the opportunity to:

    • Explain how the sociological perspective is applied to social change.
    • Describe the structure and organization of society as it relates to social change.
    • Discuss the patterns and process of social change.
    • Explain how sociology views environmental change and issues as social topics.

    • 2.1: Chapter Story
      This page examines Indigenous concepts of pachakuti and Buen Vivir, highlighting their cyclical worldview and emphasis on collective well-being over individualism. Buen Vivir promotes harmony with nature and has influenced global sociological discussions and the constitutions of Ecuador and Bolivia. It connects social change with environmental awareness, reshaping identities and ethical relationships with ecosystems, while posing questions about societal impacts on decision-making.
    • 2.2: Social Change and the Sociological Framework
      This page explores the critical examination of societal norms using concepts like sociological imagination, social construction of reality, and the debunking motif. It emphasizes Peter Berger’s perspective on sociology as a means to uncover complex social realities, encouraging individuals to challenge conventional views and think critically about social dynamics.
    • 2.3: The Structure and Organization of Society
      This page explores the complexities of social change in sociology, highlighting the role of social structures, institutions, and interconnected systems in shaping individual experiences. It emphasizes the significance of understanding social facts, cultural norms, and evolving family dynamics, particularly through the lens of Australian Aboriginal kinship.
    • 2.4: Patterns and Process of Social Change
      This page explores the role of social conflict and war in instigating significant social change. It details how various grievances can lead to protests and movements that challenge societal norms and institutions, driven by factors such as culture, technology, and demographics. The impacts of war on society, including changes in population dynamics, economic effects, and contributions to racial equality, are also examined.
    • 2.5: Society and the Natural Environment
      This page explores the intricate relationship between environmental issues and sociology, emphasizing human activity's core role in environmental problems and social inequalities. It highlights environmental sociology's role in examining climate change, public health impacts due to pollution and urbanization, and advocacy by grassroots movements.
    • 2.6: Conclusion
      This page explores the sociological study of social change, focusing on its complexity and various frameworks like sociological imagination and social constructionism. It examines influences on social change, such as culture, technology, and social movements, using Buen Vivir as a case study. Key terms related to social change, like agents of socialization and environmental sociology, are discussed, followed by a summary of learning outcomes related to the chapter's themes.
    • 2.7: References
      This page presents a detailed reference list addressing sociology, environmental sustainability, and cultural studies. It covers themes such as climate change's effect on public opinion, the revival of earth-based religions in the Andes, and historical social justice movements. Additionally, it discusses 'Buen Vivir' as a concept of good living from indigenous perspectives and examines racial prejudice in law enforcement.


    This page titled Chapter 2: The Study of Social Change is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Aimee Samara Krouskop, Ben Cushing, Kimberly Puttman, and Avery Temple (Open Oregon) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.