Theory of cultural phase shift

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The theory of cultural lag ( Engl. Cultural lag , rarely social lay ) says that parts of the "intangible cultural" (z. B. institutions , values , norms , organizations ) with the rapid technological advances in modern industrial society z (. B Discoveries, knowledge, methods) cannot keep up. It follows that imbalances and mismatches arise within society. These temporal asymmetries lead to social problems, changes in the social structure and conflicts. The concept of cultural phase shift was significantly influenced by William Ogburn in his 1922 work "On Culture and Social Change".

Theory and examples of phase shifts

Ogburn emphasizes that not every delay in enforcing new knowledge can be viewed as a phase shift. He mentions four steps for recognizing a cultural phase shift:

  1. Differentiation of at least two variables
  2. Proof that there is an adjustment relationship between them
  3. Exact evidence that at least one variable has changed and the other (s) has not or that the extent of the change (s) is different
  4. Evidence that, as a result of the earlier or greater change in the variable (s), there is a less good fit between them than before

Ogburn describes the faster or stronger variable as independent, the slower or weaker variable as dependent or adaptive. He gives various examples for the theory, whereby the independent variable is by no means necessarily material-technical. The theory applies regardless of which side is triggering and which is adapting, the interrelationship between them is decisive. In many cases in the modern Western world , however, the independent variable is a scientific discovery or a technical invention. As examples, Ogburn cites the following relationships (as of the mid-20th century):

  • the rapid development of ever faster cars (independent variable) and the course of centuries-old country roads (dependent variable)
  • the relocation of previously domestic production to the factory (independent variable) and the household-related social status of women (dependent variable)
  • the development of fast industrial machines (independent variable) and workers' entitlement to care in the event of accidents (dependent variable)
  • the development of means of transport or global search for raw materials (independent variable) and the US isolationism of the interwar period (dependent variable)
  • nuclear armament (independent variable) and protection of the civilian population (dependent variable)

More recent examples from around 2010 :

  • digitization in Germany (independent variable) and the absorption of many unskilled workers by the social market economy (dependent variable)
  • global migration movements (independent variable) from hunger, economic participation or war and the maintenance of pluralistically organized western democracies (dependent variable)

According to Ogburn, increased mismatches are resolved, for example, by revolutions and wars. The revolution in China , for example, has eliminated many peasant anachronisms and feudalism. The war freed many women from the household and created jobs in the economy. The war opened up higher levels of education and income for African Americans .

According to Helmut Schoeck , the theory was further developed by Richard Thurnwald and Wilhelm Emil Mühlmann . According to this, every cultural present has attitudes that were valid at different times.

criticism

Despite the intuitive catchiness of the theory of cultural phase shifts, fundamental criticisms are made against it:

  1. She regards technical innovations “as a date” and leaves their (cultural) origins in the dark.
  2. You apply the same standards to different phenomena that are not equally measurable.
  3. You can not clearly determine the point in time at which a society "accepts" a new technology.
  4. She rates technical change more highly than (immaterial) culture, which is usually seen as in need of adaptation.

literature

  • William Fielding Ogburn : The Theory of Cultural Phase Shift (lag). In the S. (Author), Otis D. Duncan (Ed.): Culture and Social Change. Selected writings (“On culture and social change”). (Sociological texts; vol. 56). Luchterhand Verlag, Neuwied am Rhein 1969, pp. 134–145.

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Günter Hartfiel, Karl-Heinz Hillmann : Dictionary of Sociology (= Kröner's pocket edition . Volume 410). 3. Edition. Kröner, Stuttgart 1982, ISBN 3-520-41003-6 , p. 691.
  2. ^ Günter Hartfiel, Karl-Heinz Hillmann: Dictionary of Sociology (= Kröner's pocket edition. Volume 410). 3. Edition. Kröner, Stuttgart 1982, ISBN 3-520-41003-6 , pp. 124f.
  3. ^ William F. Ogburn (author), Otis D. Duncan (ed.): Culture and social change. Luchterhand Verlag, Neuwied am Rhein 1969, p. 137f.
  4. ^ William F. Ogburn (author), Otis D. Duncan (ed.): Culture and social change. Luchterhand Verlag, Neuwied am Rhein 1969, pp. 139f.
  5. ^ Helmut Schoeck: Small sociological dictionary. 2nd edition, Herder: Freiburg i. B. 1970, p. 75.
  6. ^ Nina Degele: Introduction to the sociology of technology . Fink, Munich 2002, ISBN 3-8252-2288-8 , p. 15f.