Class 12 Sociology - KERALA
Cultural Change
The chapter 'Cultural Change' in Class 12 Sociology explores how cultures evolve, transform, and adapt over time, particularly in the context of modernization, globalization, and social movements in India. For Kerala SCERT board exams, this chapter is crucial as it connects theoretical sociological concepts with everyday realities of Indian society, such as westernization, sanskritization, and secularization. Students will learn how external forces and internal reforms shape traditions, values, and social institutions. Scoring well in this chapter requires a clear understanding of key processes of social change and the ability to cite relevant Indian examples.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Social Change
Alterations that occur in social structure, social institutions, and social relations over time, affecting societal values and norms.
Cultural Change
Changes in the material and non-material culture of a society, including shifts in beliefs, practices, art, technology, and values.
Sanskritization
A process coined by M.N. Srinivas whereby lower castes try to raise their social status by adopting the rituals, dietary habits, and lifestyle of upper castes.
Westernization
The changes brought about in Indian society due to Western contact, particularly British rule, involving new technology, education, dress, and values like rationality and individualism.
Modernization
A multidimensional process involving the adoption of scientific orientation, industrialization, urbanization, and democratic political systems.
Secularization
The process by which religion loses its social and cultural significance, and institutions become increasingly separated from religious authority.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
This chapter typically carries around 6 to 8 marks in the Kerala (SCERT) Class 12 Sociology board examination. Common question types include direct definitions of processes like Sanskritization and Westernization, short notes on the impact of globalization, and essay-type questions analyzing the difference between social change and cultural change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between social change and cultural change?
Social change refers to alterations in social structures, relationships, and institutions, whereas cultural change specifically involves changes in ideas, values, norms, and artifacts shared by a society.
How is Sanskritization different from Westernization?
Sanskritization is an indigenous process where lower castes adopt upper-caste Hindu traditions to move up socially, while Westernization is the adoption of Western lifestyles, education, and values resulting from British colonial influence.
Are globalization and Westernization the same thing?
No. Westernization is specifically rooted in Western cultural influence and colonial history, whereas globalization is a broader, multi-directional economic and cultural process connecting societies worldwide, including influences from non-Western nations.
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