Sociology

Proposition A persons adaptation to a new society is explained in view of social and cultural change
One idea that caught my interest in the readings is the distinction made between social and cultural change. The argument provides the readers of the basic understanding what categorizes social or cultural changes and what factors contribute to those changes. Basically, both terminologies involve a unique process that takes place in each of changes but both are observable and perceived as important towards understanding of the society, and most importantly towards understanding of a persons adaptation to his new society or community.  

As the argument goes on, it is well explained that both categories may be identified as one because of the presence of factors attributed to both changes  in turn, people will recognize it as socio-cultural change. Specifically, social change according to Ryan is the modification in the relationships among persons or groups, and thus focuses on human interaction patterns cultural change on the other  hand is modifications in the creations of interacting men, including such things as norms, symbolic meanings as in language, technologies and artifacts, knowledge, and value orientations (p. 4).  Thus, in the process of change that takes, there are actually two modifications that need to be studied upon that will result to the change of self and its adaptability to become more functional and valued (p. 4).  One good example that can be used in this argument is the case of foreign students who experience changes of self as influenced by many factors in the new society where they are in.

Changes in self likewise is influenced by various factors as cultural and that the self before the adaptation to the cultural change receives or experiences conflicts within and without which test his value orientations and role expectations. Conflicts therefore as discussed in the reading is something to be appreciated because it is one way of helping individual person in his interaction with his environment and with other people in the community to survive all the challenges as well as threats.  Thus, the concept of accelerated socio-cultural change views the fast-paced changes brought by technology, innovation, and many others as the causes of sudden changes in the value orientation and role expectation of the people.

The concept that individual person learns to adapt to his environment is a kind of interaction that goes on with him as the adapting individual and the environment. A change takes place when there are changes in the environment that challenges both his value orientation and role expectation. However, it is clearly stated that adaptation is the starting point of shift because it goes towards stability of self (p. 4).  In a laymans term, man changes as his environment changes. He has the ability to adapt and adjust to his new environment after a period of time of conflicts and struggles.

Going back to the distinction between the social and cultural change, my interaction with people around me which is influenced by the governing norms and values is an example of social change while the factors for the changes in my interaction with people are the example of cultural change.  Both take place simultaneously and interchangeably. Thus, a persons chances to adapt to the new society having a different set of norms and values will require a lot of consideration which include time and space while the ability of a person to adjust depends on the perception of need or desire of the person to adaptation and growth in contemporary society (p. 7) which help him to the rediscovery of self to become a healthy individual. Therefore, adaptation to a contemporary society through social and cultural change is a need of any individual to grow as a person  to meet criteria to become highly functional and valued.

The mutable self in relation to the issue of adaptability is more than a help to a person than to a society because it is one way of helping oneself to find his balance with the changing society. The society may benefit from this mutation of self because they can help in the pursuit of change in the society.

Validity of this argument based on my own and of other peoples experience
I should say that the authors discussion is valid regarding a persons adaptability to a society since nothing remains permanent in this world and yet people learn to adapt to changes in the society and become contributors to those changes. Globalization is a good example of this change by which all people and all races in the world have faced a tremendous challenge to becoming actors performing interplay with the world. The change may have presented economic and political benefits, but the fear of losing in the end for not being able to comply with the requirements of change, keeps every player in doubtful condition. In this kind of global interrelationship that was established, even the smaller countries were given the opportunity to improve its condition. Many more businesses were open, while many of them ventured in other countries to accelerate what they call global competition.

Similarly, the reason for the peoples adaptation is because they need and desire to become functional and valued in the society where they live in order to survive. In this condition, not every occurrence gives agreeable or desirable outcome for instance, the minority remains minority in this interplay, but to sacrifice is a must for a larger benefit of the majority.

Furthermore, the technological advancement that enhances globalization has affected every individual and every group of people in terms of language, lifestyle, and set of values. Social networking for instance brought people close to each other and that social networking is the latest in the list of popular cultures. Because of this and other factor in the environment, people have to learn one language to use in global communication. In effect, people almost share the same experiences new norms and mores become standardized as they begin to have exposure to the latest events. It is true therefore that globalization through technological advancement provides everyone access to global changes which affect their individual culture.

Similarly, this scenario can be best explained in my case as a foreign student in this country.  America is a country full of promise and also uncertainty because of its culture characterized by multiplicity of norms, social values, and mores.  Its language is diversified its technology is superb and its people are diverse. Its history that enriched the value orientation of the people living here is overwhelming that made me a bit confused of what behaviors are acceptable and not acceptable in this country. It is really amazing that the countrys hegemony runs through its political, economic, and social system.

Thus, for a Taiwanese student like me, where I have only one cultural orientation practiced for so many centuries by my own people, living in America is not easy.   Despite that American people are interesting to be with, sometimes language is a hindrance to a healthy communication especially that I need to execute competence using the language in classroom discussions or in simple conversation with my other foreign classmates.  It requires a lot of patience and diligence before assimilation to a new culture acquired. In my case, aside from technical changes that occur, the value orientation and role expectation are the two powerful forces that trigger social change to take place. I could say that it is not only me who adjust to the society but also the rest of the people who interact with each other.  Every one of us does everything to discover what is common among us and how we can achieve harmony, through which create a new culture as a result of adaptation and assimilation.

My attitude towards the issue of adaptation is strengthened by the fact that I need to learn another culture and be able to adapt it because it will make me a better and competent person. Adaptation to my new environment that leads to my stability in the future will bring me to another level of success.  However, there are many challenging experiences that may involve in the process of adaptation that gradually alter my perception, values, lifestyle, and many others. When all these things take place, I will begin to gain stability emotionally and socially.

The mutable self, as sociologists call it, may occur for a period of time in the adaptation process before stability attains because a person has to alienate himself and be somebody accepted by the society.  I may lose self-confidence or self-esteem but if I focus on my objective, adaptability and stability of self is possible in the new society.

Conclusion
As people say, change alters change. Change is inevitable especially in a society where people interact actively with each other. This interaction brings about growth and development that also cause changes in the culture of a society and later to the way people interact with each other. This process is cyclical because the change initiated by people will also cause transformation to peoples lives. The accelerated socio-cultural change sometimes brings unpleasant experiences to a mans life but, a persons ability to adapt to cultural change will save him from these unpleasant experiences.

Therefore, the constant change in the society is explained in terms of both social and cultural change and the socio-cultural changes. In a sense, change is really inevitable.