Class 11 Sociology Short Questions with Answers - Social Change & Social Order in Rural & Urban Society

Q1. Give meaning of Social Change.
Ans. Every change which occurs in society is not social change. Only that change is known as social change which does occur in social relations. In this way the change which occurs in social relations is known as social change. We include relations and mutual interactions of different parts of society in the concept of social change.

Q2. Give two definitions of Social Change.
Ans. According to Kingsley Davis, ‘‘By social change, I meant only such alterations as occur in social organization that is structure and function of society.
According to Jones, ‘‘Social change is a term used to describe variations or modifications of any aspect of social aspect of social processes, social patterns, social interactions or social organization.’’

Q3. Which are the factors of social change?
Ans. 

• Social change comes due to physical factors.
• Biological factors also bring social change.
• Demographic factors, cultural and technological factors also contribute in bringing social change.

Q4. How is social change comparable?
Ans. When we talk about change them we generally compare present state with earlier state that what is the difference between earlier and present state. This difference can come out after comparing two states. In this way we can say that social change is comparable.

Q5. What is the relation of environment with social change?
Ans. Environment also brings quick social change. If temperature of any region goes up or falls down very quickly, if volcano erupts at any place, if flood comes or famine occur then relations in that region changes very quickly which is known as social change. In this way environment plays a very important role in bringing social change.

Q6. What is the relation of technology with social change?
Ans. Technological factors are quite important in bringing social change. Technology changes our society. Yet this change is in material aspect but it also bring changes in customs traditions, institutions etc. of our society. For example industrial revolution in 18th century brought changes in every aspect of life.

Q7. What is Power?
Ans. Every person does some work in life with his will and in some cases he is forced to do so. Power is physical and an empirical aspect of authority because of which all society members are forced to accept the decisions taken by the authority.
Nature of power is determined by social prestige, status, physical and material power etc.

Q8. What is meant by Authority?
Ans. Authority means that other members of society—who have agreed to abide by its rules and regulations must obey this authority within its proper domain.

Q9. What is Rural Society?
Ans. That society is known as rural society which lives life based on agriculture, where primary relations are of great importance and where less population with homogeneity is there. Informal control is there in rural society where people are controlled by religion, traditions, mores etc.

Q10. What is a Town?
Ans. That area which is larger than a village but is smaller than city is known as Town. Generally that geographical area is known as Town which have population of more than 5,000, density of population is 400 persons per sq. km. and more than 75% people are engaged in agricultural works.

Q11. Give characteristics of Social Change.
Ans. (i) Social change is universal. It is the need of every society. That’s why it is a continuous process. We cannot find any society in history where change has never come. Change was there in ancient society and is also in modern society.
(ii) Rate of social change is not uniform. Yet social change is universal but its rate is different in different societies.
(iii) We cannot predict definitely about social change because social relations, which exist in society, are not definite.
(iv) Social change is the result of attraction of many factors. It never comes because of one factor because our society is complex in nature.
(v) Social change is law of nature because we cannot control the natural forces and they bring changes with them.

Q12. Which important changes have come in Indian society?
Ans. 

• Caste system has come to an end in Indian society.
• Child marriages are reduced to a great extent.
• A number of widow marriages are taking place.
• Joint families are changing into nuclear families.
• Status of women is changing and is moving upward.
• Dowry system is loosing its importance day by day.

Q13. Give four characteristics of Evolution.
Ans. 

• Social evolution is a continuous process in which change comes continuously.
• With continuity, definite direction is also there in social evolution because it not only comes in size but also comes in structure.
• Social evolution doesn’t have any external pressure because internal features of every thing comes out in it.
• Evolutionary change always goes from simplicity to complexity and it comes in definite direction.

Q. 14. How society is disorganized with crimes?
Ans. 

• It is correct that society is disorganized with crimes.
• Crime is the work done against society and social system.
• This work is also against law.
• If this type of work is committed again and again then whole of social system breaks down.
• Whole of social structure also breaks down.
• As a result, social relations also begin to break down.
• If crimes or criminals increase in society then there will a danger of breaking down of whole social system.
• In this way we can say that society is disorganized with crimes.

Q15. State a few causes of crime in the society.
Ans:

• Biological factors: It is the result of heredity transmission.
• Psychological factors: Frustration leads to aggression and aggression leads to crime.
• Economic factors: Poverty big gap between classes, unemployment etc.
• Geographical factors: Due to climate and seasonal changes.
• Socio-cultural factors: Lack of proper education, broken homes.