Sources of Social Change All cultures change over time. Values and beliefs: Social Movements-long term efforts to
promote or prevent social change. Usually involves a large number of people.
technology Using knowledge and tools to manipulate the
environment, done in 2 ways: 1. Discovery: New uses for existing elements in the
world. 2. Invention: use existing knowledge to create
something that did not previously exist. Material: Non Material :
population Change in the size of population can
bring about social change. New people= new cultural traits and
values. (food) Economies Movement (retirees moving south)
diffusion People often borrow ideas, beliefs, and material
objects from other societies. The process of spreading culture traits from one
society to another is diffusion. The more contact a society has with other societies,
the more traits it will borrow. Takes place constantly. Material more than non-
material. Two-way process.
The physical environment New foods or scarcity of foods Natural disasters: can change whole communities.
Wars and conquests Bring about the greatest change in the least amount
of time. Wars can also promote advances in technology and
medicine that can have civilian applications.
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