Social Movement
Often times, change occurs as a result of social movements. Social movement is defined as “a movement whose goal is to promote or prevent social change; the most structured and rational form of collective behavior”. Although social movements all aim to achieve change within a society, they each have differences which allow sociologists to distinguish between them. The four primary types of social change are listed below.
Revolutionary Movement
A revolutionary movement is defined as “a social movement that attempts to change the total structure of society”. The most common types of revolutionary movements occur by way of war in which individuals are seeking for total change within their government, and therefore turn to means of violence and war to accomplish this goal. Revolutionary movements however do not need to involve war, they simply need to change society as a whole.
Reformative Movement
A reformative movement is defined as “a social movement that attempts to make limited changes in society”. This type of social movement often occurs when a group of individuals gather with a purpose and take steps in order to make their “reformation” take place. For example, a group of women gathering to petition for equality in the work place for women and men would be an example of a reformative movement.
Redemptive Movement
A redemptive movement is defined as “a social movement that seeks to change people completely”. Most commonly, this type of movement occurs when a group attempts to push their beliefs onto others, whether it be through passive or aggressive means. An example of this type of movement would be the Jehovah Witnesses.
Alternative Movement
An alternative movement is defined as “a social movement that focuses on bringing about limited changes in people”. This type of movement is the least aggressive, as it only attempts to persuade people to change, rather than aggressively chasing a radical change. An example of this type of movement would be feminist who seek to change the patriarchal view of society.
Often times, change occurs as a result of social movements. Social movement is defined as “a movement whose goal is to promote or prevent social change; the most structured and rational form of collective behavior”. Although social movements all aim to achieve change within a society, they each have differences which allow sociologists to distinguish between them. The four primary types of social change are listed below.
Revolutionary Movement
A revolutionary movement is defined as “a social movement that attempts to change the total structure of society”. The most common types of revolutionary movements occur by way of war in which individuals are seeking for total change within their government, and therefore turn to means of violence and war to accomplish this goal. Revolutionary movements however do not need to involve war, they simply need to change society as a whole.
Reformative Movement
A reformative movement is defined as “a social movement that attempts to make limited changes in society”. This type of social movement often occurs when a group of individuals gather with a purpose and take steps in order to make their “reformation” take place. For example, a group of women gathering to petition for equality in the work place for women and men would be an example of a reformative movement.
Redemptive Movement
A redemptive movement is defined as “a social movement that seeks to change people completely”. Most commonly, this type of movement occurs when a group attempts to push their beliefs onto others, whether it be through passive or aggressive means. An example of this type of movement would be the Jehovah Witnesses.
Alternative Movement
An alternative movement is defined as “a social movement that focuses on bringing about limited changes in people”. This type of movement is the least aggressive, as it only attempts to persuade people to change, rather than aggressively chasing a radical change. An example of this type of movement would be feminist who seek to change the patriarchal view of society.