culture, society & technology
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Culture, Society & Technology. Technological Determinism vs. Social Constructivism. Today…. What exactly IS technology, and why are social scientists interested in it? - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Culture, Society & Technology
Technological Determinism vs. Social Constructivism
Today…
• What exactly IS technology, and why are social scientists interested in it?
• Social Constructivism vs. Technological Determinism: Does society influence technology or does technology influence society? (or both…?)
Technology
• Technology: Universe of tools, means and methods we use to interact with environment
• Includes anything that helps us do things we could not otherwise do, or lets us do them cheaper, faster, easier
Social Studies ofScience and Technology
• Also known as “Science and technology studies,” “Science, technology and society studies”
• 1960s: social movement with interest in controlling technology due to perceived impact on society
• 1980s: academic field with focus on creating knowledge rather than informing policy
• Encompasses many different fields including several of the social sciences, all united by interest in intersection of society, technology, culture
The Relationship Between Technology & Society
Technology SocietyTechnological Determinism – Hard version
Society is influenced by technology
Technology SocietySocial Constructivism – Hard versionTechnology is influenced by society
Technology Society“Soft” Determinism or “Weak” Constructivism
Technology both influences and is influenced by society
Technological Determinism• Technology influences society, but society does not influence
technology
• Technological development is an autonomous process independent of society
• Technological, not social, factors determine success of a technology; the inherent superiority of a technology leads to its success
• Technology develops in a linear fashion
Example of Technological Determinism
Example of Technological Determinism
Social Constructivism
• Society influences technology
• Technology is a dimension of society
• Technologies do not succeed due to superiority alone – also social factors, relevant social groups
• Technological development is not linear
Example of Social Constructivism
Video: AOL Commercial - 1995
Genevieve Bell
• Anthropologist at Intel – Interaction and Exeperience Research Director
• Technologies are adapted by cultures to support EXISTING patterns of behavior
Genevieve Bell
• Anthropologist at Intel – Interaction and Exeperience Research Director
• Technologies are adapted by cultures to support EXISTING patterns of behavior
Sherry Turkle
• Psychologist at MIT – Professor of Social Studies of Science and Technology
• People are increasingly dependent on technologies, and increasingly disconnected from each other
Sherry Turkle
• Psychologist at MIT – Professor of Social Studies of Science and Technology
• People are increasingly dependent on technologies, and increasingly disconnected from each other
Video: Sherry Turkle, Connected, but Alone?
Next time…
The Individual & Society
Conformity & DeviancePersonality & Culture