Innovation in the context of sociology and culture refers to the process through which new ideas, objects, practices, or values are introduced and accepted into a society or cultural group. It plays a crucial role in driving cultural change by challenging existing norms and facilitating the development of new cultural patterns.
Imagine innovation as a chef experimenting in the kitchen, where traditional recipes represent existing cultural norms. Just as a chef might introduce a new ingredient or cooking technique that transforms a classic dish into something entirely new and popular among diners, innovation introduces fresh concepts or practices that can redefine societal values and traditions.
Cultural Diffusion: The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another, allowing for innovations to permeate across different societies.
Subculture: A group within a larger culture that differentiates itself from the larger culture to which it belongs, often fostering innovations that reflect its unique values and perspectives.
Social Change: The alteration in societal structures and norms over time, which is often driven by innovative ideas and practices that challenge the status quo
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.