10.0 Learning Objectives and Introduction
Learning Objectives
LO 10.1: Describe social change and social reproduction.
LO 10.2: Contrast different forms of collective behavior.
LO 10.3: Summarize how social movements work.
LO 10.4: Explain how the climate crisis contributes to social change.
LO 10.5: Apply the social construction of reality approach to the climate crisis.
LO 10.6: Describe how the climate crisis and stratification are related.
Introduction
The saying that “the more things change, the more things stay the same” certainly has some truth. Human society is constantly changing. Yet, many features of human society persist. For example, families in the United States are smaller than in the past. Also, the expectations for mothers, fathers, and children have changed. However, families persist, and most children are raised by at least one biological parent.
Sociologists study social change and social reproduction. Recall that from Chapter 1 that social change is the process by which people transform the social structure, including social institutions and norms, through interaction. Social reproduction refers to how people keep existing social arrangements and structures through interaction. In other words, sociologists study social change, how society persists, and the tensions between persistence and change.
The world has faced significant challenges in recent years: a global pandemic (COVID-19), the rise of authoritarian governments in several nations, the growth of artificial intelligence, and climate change. This chapter focuses primarily on social change related to the climate crisis.
Using a sociological eye to study the climate crisis illustrates how important it is to involve social scientists alongside natural scientists in studying climate change. Sociological research shows how climate change and stratification are connected. Some groups are at greater risk because of the disadvantages they already face. Moreover, sociology underscores how the climate crisis is a group project. Changes at the macro-level (or structure) will have the greatest impact, though micro-level (or individual) changes also matter. Slowing down climate change and learning to live with its consequences, which are already occurring, requires new socialization. For instance, households may need to learn how to reduce food waste, and drivers may need to learn how to plan trips around electric vehicle charging stations.
Overall, the climate crisis is about changes to the natural world that affect the social world. This chapter discusses these changes and how social movements have emerged around environmental issues.