Technology and Social Change Paper

Samantha Craig

Soc/100

4/17/2016

Introduction

Today's society has people continuously facing the never ending change of technology. What many of these individuals fail to notice even that this these particular social and technological changes are even occurring within their lives. Technological change is when electrical gadgets such as televisions, phones, computer and many other items change due to social and economic needs. Social changes are when environmental and technological changes cause everyday social movements of society to change happen as well. (Kerins, Strayer, Griffiths, Rydzewski, Scaramuzzo, Sadler &Vyain, N.D) This is where their relationship starts. As technology evolves then society changes with it causing the social change to occur and technical changes based on the needs and desires of society. This paper will shine the light on the impact of technology on society. Describe the equilibrium model, digital divide, and the cultural lag about these technologies and social change that happen. Along with how technology influenced social epidemiology, health, and the environment. While exploring a recent form of technology, and discuss its potential benefits or consequences for society.

The impact of technology on society

Technology has a vast impact on society for many different reasons depending on the technology that is preferred or owned by the individuals. The personal computer, cellular phones, and the Internet are just some examples of the technology items belonging to millions of people around the world and has made the biggest impact on society. According to Larson (2002) "The Internet, however, provides access to information, institutions, people, and virtual communities across the world, without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, peer social standing, or physical attractiveness."(pp.19-21) Personal Computers and cell phones have allowed the access of internet to grow even bigger while allowing its access to be more convenient in allowing conversations to occur with someone in a different country or even just down the street. There are now ways of earning an education on the computer, watching television or shows, play games, applying for jobs and even talk to medical personnel on an issue the individual is experiencing without even leaving their home. However, technology like this also has its pitfalls. The biggest problem is that these technologies allow for vulnerabilities such as being easily manipulated or (catfished), exploitations, adult sites and even open themselves up to having personal information taken from them by away called hacking.

Equilibrium model, the digital divide, and cultural lag

Technology is continuously growing every few years society finds a need to adapt to those changes as well. The Equilibrium model was created to help society maintain a particular type of balance. In other words, if a certain kind of change occurs in one part of society then other changes have to be made as well to keep the balance. The conflict perspective shows a emphasize on the persistence of social life, along with seeing the change as a means of maintaining society's equilibrium. Functionalists, however, seem to focus mainly on how to keep the social status quo and pay little mind to the social changes that occur. The digital divide is the "social differences in access to and use of digital equipment and services, most notably personal computers, and the ability to access the internet concerning both physical connection and facility of use."(Sparks, 2013) Because functionalisms primary focus is basically to make sure that technology has a smooth and easy function within society it is important that the use of the digital devices are easy to use and available at access. The conflict perspective is the opposite and causes an imbalance on who can have access to the digital world. Those who are in the upper and middle classes tend to have easier ability to reach the World Wide Web. While those who are in the lower class are pushed aside with no way to be able to be involved in the presence of technology. This is done by "Powerful individual and social institutions have lots of influence over which forms of technology are released, when and where they are released, and what kind of media is available for our consumption, a form of gatekeeping."(CNX, 2016) Cultural lag according to (Johnson, 2000) "is what happens in a social system when the cultural ideas used to regulate social life do not keep pace with other social changes." The conflict perspective shows that change has crucial importance since it is needed to correct social inequalities that are shown and that technology should be regulated due to the cultural lag that is occurring. The relation that the Cultural lag, Digital divide, and the Equilibrium model all show the inequalities that are occurring within the evolution of technology and how things are changing socially as well.

Influence on social epidemiology, health, and the environment

Technology has had a vast influence on social epidemiology, health, and the environment in many different ways. The definition of epidemiology is "a branch of medical science that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population" (Merriam-Webster, 2016) Now that technology is available in most areas of the world doctors have the tools and information that their hands to confirm diagnosis's with others and seek inside help on matters they are concerned about. Technology has also shown a vast increase in understanding diseases and create vaccinations to stop or prevent them from spreading. It has also brought forth the ability to diagnose a person for specific cancers, understand fertility and can even examine the inside of the human body. Health is another part that works hand in hand with epidemiology. Illnesses and diseases are common problems in the world. Many spread like wild fire and can pass either through the air, animal or even person to person. Many of the medical tools used to monitor a person's health are technology based such as a heart monitor, pacemaker, blood dialysis and more. The environment influences everything around us from what we eat, see, and touch, breath, and even our actions. Everywhere a person looks there are televisions, phones, and even computers. This helps the patients communicate with professionals if they are having symptoms that they are unsure of and don't have insurance or a way to go to the doctor. The weather can be detected several days to even a few weeks that can prepare people for inclement weather. If someone has allergies, they can determine how high the pollen could be in the air.

Recent or emerging form of technology and potential benefits or consequences

A recent technology that continues to gain recognition and is slowly being seen everywhere would be smartphones. These small devices can send and receive calls, record sound, has calendars, make reminders for appointments, access the internet and even personal emails. This allows information to be passed to and from individuals, along with the capability to gain knowledge at the swipe of the hand. Just as there are many good things that can come from having such a vast amount of information in the palm of your hand there are also cons. Many people tend to self-diagnose themselves based on information that could be incorrect and that might not be what they have. They also tend to carry personal information on these devices and can easily be manipulated to giving it up or be easily accessed and still what is inside them.

Conclusion

Technology is always changing, and more and more devices are getting fixed and upgraded yearly. It's human nature that because of this individuals always seek out the newest form in search of reaching a social status. As the technology changes so do society and how people interact socially. If one small shift happens then, naturally others have to turn to find balance. There are many ups and downs to technology. The fact that it is always changing and adapting it allows the health and environment around people grow and progress as well. It allows medical problems to be prediagnosed and to treat existing conditions without problems. Handheld devices such as smartphones are steadily becoming a widespread epidemic and it is useful to have the information that could be needed instantly to be in your hand in a second. In life, there is everything that has benefits as well as consequences and the same goes for technology.

References

Larson,, R. W. (2002, Mar). Globalization, Societal Change, and New Technologies: What They Mean for the Future of Adolescence. . Journal of Research on Adolescence (Wiley-Blackwell), 12(1).

SPARKS, C. (2013). WHAT IS THE "DIGITAL DIVIDE" AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?. Javnost-The Public, 20(2), 27-46.

Cultural lag. (2000). In A. Johnson, The Blackwell dictionary of sociology. Oxford, United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishers. Retrieved from