CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Definition of Terms
(a) Change
According to Nisbet, R., change is any particular total movement from what is to what is not.
While Swanson, G. E., on the other hand views change as succession of differences within a
persisting entity over time. From these definitions, it is evident that change is any action of
making something different in form of quality and quantity i.e. it is an alteration of the state of
being (or status quo).
(b) Society
Various scholars have conceptualized society differently. According to Green, A. W., society is
the largest group which an individual belongs. This comprises people and organizations that
share common goals. Demaraths Peterson defines society as a group of human beings sharing a
self sufficient system of action which is capable of existing longer than the life span of the
people living in it. That is, a society keeps on surviving while people die. Theoderson and
Theoderson dictionary defines society as a structure of interrelated roles with proper role
behavior. That is, a society is not a sum of individual members but a structure of
interrelationships. It is a special type of group consisting of such institutions as religion, family,
economy, etc that aims at achieving basic human needs. George Simmel on the other hand
views society as a number of individuals who are connected by interaction, and have worked
together long enough to get themselves as a social unit.
From the above definitions, society can be conceptualized as the group within which men and
women can live together a totally common life rather than an organization limited to some
specific purposes. Sociologically, a society is a group of people having a common culture and a
sense of belonging.
1.2 The Meaning of Social Change
The concept of social change as been defined differently by different scholars. According to Nisbet, R.,
social change is a type of change occurring in a social system that is characterized by a succession of
1
,devices in a persisting entity. Here, social change is said to have occurred when there are differences in
certain components of society such as norms, values, knowledge, social structure, behaviour, attitudes,
technology, demand and supply of goods and services. Theoderson and Theoderson define social change
as any modification in a society’s social organization, social institutions or patterns of social roles and
interaction characterized by a succession of devices in a persisting entity. Rodgers and Shoemaker on the
other hand define social change as a process by which alteration occur in the structure and functioning of
a social system such as revolution, invention of a new manufacturing technology or the adoption of new
methods of family planning. Ritzer G. et al view social change as a variation over time in the relationship
among individual groups’ cultures and social structures. That is, social change is a shift in the way we do
things and the functioning of a social system.
1.3 The Context of Social Change
Social change is simply societal change. That is, it involves a difference on how individuals or groups
interact in the society. When social change occurs in any society, it affects such aspects of society as:
cognitive change i.e. change in how the society members view things; attitudinal change i.e. change that
focuses on societal perceptions and beliefs; relational change i.e. change that focuses on the interactive
elements of the society; and structural change i.e. change that focuses on the organizational and social
structure of the society.
1.4 The Salient Features of Social Change
The process of social change has three sequential stages:
(a) Invention
(b) Diffusion
(c) Consequences
(i) Developmental
(ii) Discontinuation
Invention: This is the process through which new ideas are created or developed i.e. the birth of an
innovation or idea that could be perceived as new. Thus, the subjective newness is imperative in any
invention. The innovation or idea may be known by the individuals for quite some time but may not have
known it enough to make a decision of accepting or rejecting it. For instance, artificial insemination (AI)
has been in existence for a long time but many people have not used it; chemical weeding do exist but
many people have not used it, etc.
2
,Diffusion: This is the process in which an invention or new ideas are communicated to members of a
social system. It involves the transfer of ideas from the source (initiator) to the receivers (users) with a
view of modifying their behavior.
Consequences: These are changes/effects that occur in a social system due to the adoption or rejection of
an innovation or invention. The effects could either be positive (developmental) or negative (hence, need
discontinuation). An invention or innovation is said to be developmental if it enables the population to
meet their basic needs and thus, improving their wellbeing of the population. If the innovation or
invention brings negative effects to the population such that it worsens their present situation, then the
population may decide to discontinue or cease to use it.
1.5. Types of Social Change
There are two types of social change:-
(a) Spontaneous Change
(b) Planned Change
Spontaneous Change
This is the change that occurs at its own accord without a prior plan for it. It is also referred to as
non-directed change. Rogers and Shoemaker argue that exposure to innovation could lead to
spontaneous change. It is a form of accidental change where people adopt the innovation
without being told to do.
Planned Change
This is a deliberate change into the society. It involves clearly laid down procedures, steps,
guidelines and agents are to facilitate it. Such changes are programmed to as to that take place in
a given time and at a specific place. It may be referred to as directed change. Outsiders who in
most cases act on their won e.g. Christian or Muslim converts who believe they have a
responsibility from God etc cause most planned changes. Sometimes NGOs or their
representatives undertake this kind of change. In such cases, it is an intentional introduction of
3
, new ideas to a social system e.g. governments post-independences plans aimed at alleviating
Poverty among Kenyans and as well as improving their welfare status. Also, the family planning
campaign is a planned change where the government acts as a facilitator of social change. It
implements it through NGOs and other institutions. The 8-4-4 system of education in Kenya is
also an example of planned change geared towards the graduates’ self-reliance and employment.
Advantages of Spontaneous Change
(a) It is the community who identify a felt need. It enables local people to have a chance to
make their won choice in prioritizing on alternatives and choice of the best option.
(b) Local people end up using accumulated experience to try and initiate the desired change.
In the process, local resources are utilized in implementing the change process and thus,
reducing the cost of the project.
(c) It improves motivation of the people and enhances rapport among them. The people do
not feel that the project is imposed on them and “we: concept comes into their minds.
Thus, tend to help boost the project.
(d) There is extremely less external influence. Here, minimal outside interference.
Disadvantages Spontaneous Change
(a) There is high possibility of lack of property guidance. It occurs when the change
requires expertise that could be lacking in the community e.g. a community may be in
dire need of piped water but they lack personnel (or engineer). Hence, due to lack of
informed guidance, it becomes a problem/limitation.
(b) Limitation of resources: - The human resource is a limitation to the materials
required. These people would use local resources available which may not be of
good quality e.g a community having a water project may decide to sue murram
found locally rather than sand which may be far but of better quality. The community
may also call for harambee efforts to raise funds to build the project but may not raise
enough money and thus becoming a limitation.
Advantages of Planned Change
4
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Definition of Terms
(a) Change
According to Nisbet, R., change is any particular total movement from what is to what is not.
While Swanson, G. E., on the other hand views change as succession of differences within a
persisting entity over time. From these definitions, it is evident that change is any action of
making something different in form of quality and quantity i.e. it is an alteration of the state of
being (or status quo).
(b) Society
Various scholars have conceptualized society differently. According to Green, A. W., society is
the largest group which an individual belongs. This comprises people and organizations that
share common goals. Demaraths Peterson defines society as a group of human beings sharing a
self sufficient system of action which is capable of existing longer than the life span of the
people living in it. That is, a society keeps on surviving while people die. Theoderson and
Theoderson dictionary defines society as a structure of interrelated roles with proper role
behavior. That is, a society is not a sum of individual members but a structure of
interrelationships. It is a special type of group consisting of such institutions as religion, family,
economy, etc that aims at achieving basic human needs. George Simmel on the other hand
views society as a number of individuals who are connected by interaction, and have worked
together long enough to get themselves as a social unit.
From the above definitions, society can be conceptualized as the group within which men and
women can live together a totally common life rather than an organization limited to some
specific purposes. Sociologically, a society is a group of people having a common culture and a
sense of belonging.
1.2 The Meaning of Social Change
The concept of social change as been defined differently by different scholars. According to Nisbet, R.,
social change is a type of change occurring in a social system that is characterized by a succession of
1
,devices in a persisting entity. Here, social change is said to have occurred when there are differences in
certain components of society such as norms, values, knowledge, social structure, behaviour, attitudes,
technology, demand and supply of goods and services. Theoderson and Theoderson define social change
as any modification in a society’s social organization, social institutions or patterns of social roles and
interaction characterized by a succession of devices in a persisting entity. Rodgers and Shoemaker on the
other hand define social change as a process by which alteration occur in the structure and functioning of
a social system such as revolution, invention of a new manufacturing technology or the adoption of new
methods of family planning. Ritzer G. et al view social change as a variation over time in the relationship
among individual groups’ cultures and social structures. That is, social change is a shift in the way we do
things and the functioning of a social system.
1.3 The Context of Social Change
Social change is simply societal change. That is, it involves a difference on how individuals or groups
interact in the society. When social change occurs in any society, it affects such aspects of society as:
cognitive change i.e. change in how the society members view things; attitudinal change i.e. change that
focuses on societal perceptions and beliefs; relational change i.e. change that focuses on the interactive
elements of the society; and structural change i.e. change that focuses on the organizational and social
structure of the society.
1.4 The Salient Features of Social Change
The process of social change has three sequential stages:
(a) Invention
(b) Diffusion
(c) Consequences
(i) Developmental
(ii) Discontinuation
Invention: This is the process through which new ideas are created or developed i.e. the birth of an
innovation or idea that could be perceived as new. Thus, the subjective newness is imperative in any
invention. The innovation or idea may be known by the individuals for quite some time but may not have
known it enough to make a decision of accepting or rejecting it. For instance, artificial insemination (AI)
has been in existence for a long time but many people have not used it; chemical weeding do exist but
many people have not used it, etc.
2
,Diffusion: This is the process in which an invention or new ideas are communicated to members of a
social system. It involves the transfer of ideas from the source (initiator) to the receivers (users) with a
view of modifying their behavior.
Consequences: These are changes/effects that occur in a social system due to the adoption or rejection of
an innovation or invention. The effects could either be positive (developmental) or negative (hence, need
discontinuation). An invention or innovation is said to be developmental if it enables the population to
meet their basic needs and thus, improving their wellbeing of the population. If the innovation or
invention brings negative effects to the population such that it worsens their present situation, then the
population may decide to discontinue or cease to use it.
1.5. Types of Social Change
There are two types of social change:-
(a) Spontaneous Change
(b) Planned Change
Spontaneous Change
This is the change that occurs at its own accord without a prior plan for it. It is also referred to as
non-directed change. Rogers and Shoemaker argue that exposure to innovation could lead to
spontaneous change. It is a form of accidental change where people adopt the innovation
without being told to do.
Planned Change
This is a deliberate change into the society. It involves clearly laid down procedures, steps,
guidelines and agents are to facilitate it. Such changes are programmed to as to that take place in
a given time and at a specific place. It may be referred to as directed change. Outsiders who in
most cases act on their won e.g. Christian or Muslim converts who believe they have a
responsibility from God etc cause most planned changes. Sometimes NGOs or their
representatives undertake this kind of change. In such cases, it is an intentional introduction of
3
, new ideas to a social system e.g. governments post-independences plans aimed at alleviating
Poverty among Kenyans and as well as improving their welfare status. Also, the family planning
campaign is a planned change where the government acts as a facilitator of social change. It
implements it through NGOs and other institutions. The 8-4-4 system of education in Kenya is
also an example of planned change geared towards the graduates’ self-reliance and employment.
Advantages of Spontaneous Change
(a) It is the community who identify a felt need. It enables local people to have a chance to
make their won choice in prioritizing on alternatives and choice of the best option.
(b) Local people end up using accumulated experience to try and initiate the desired change.
In the process, local resources are utilized in implementing the change process and thus,
reducing the cost of the project.
(c) It improves motivation of the people and enhances rapport among them. The people do
not feel that the project is imposed on them and “we: concept comes into their minds.
Thus, tend to help boost the project.
(d) There is extremely less external influence. Here, minimal outside interference.
Disadvantages Spontaneous Change
(a) There is high possibility of lack of property guidance. It occurs when the change
requires expertise that could be lacking in the community e.g. a community may be in
dire need of piped water but they lack personnel (or engineer). Hence, due to lack of
informed guidance, it becomes a problem/limitation.
(b) Limitation of resources: - The human resource is a limitation to the materials
required. These people would use local resources available which may not be of
good quality e.g a community having a water project may decide to sue murram
found locally rather than sand which may be far but of better quality. The community
may also call for harambee efforts to raise funds to build the project but may not raise
enough money and thus becoming a limitation.
Advantages of Planned Change
4
