Five basic components of human societies

There are five basic components of the human societies: population, culture, material products, social organization, and social institutions. These components may either deter or promote social change. The size of population will greatly affect the social change. If the population is large, chances are social changes will be promoted. More people will usually result in more ideas, pushing for changes because a larger population will generate more problems and it has a greater need for solutions. A large population will also have more norms and laws and sanctions.

Culture includes values, beliefs, norms, knowledge, language, and symbols. Culture can both deter and promote social changes. A society's belief and values can be essential for technology to grow and develop. Some societies tend to be more conservative and would like for things to continue to be the same, which will likely deter that society from social changes. However, as a society gained more knowledge, there will be people who will want to push for change because of that gained knowledge. New information and discoveries will result in new inventions.

Material products consist of a limited amount. Material products will be more likely promote changes because people will try to find other alternatives for those existing products. Social organization is a network of relationship between its members. There are people who hold social positions and political roles that may deter or promote changes. Reformers who hold office positions will persuade more changes in society while conservationist will want things to remain the same.

Social institutions consist of the education system, family, economy, government, and religion. A society's education system has a big influence on the society. If that education system is promoting changes, people in that society will grow up having that thinking, vice versa. A person's upbringing will also influence a person's push for change or deterrence of change. The economy's status holds great importance for change or not. If an economy is not doing so well, changes will likely occur. The government may be pushing for change if a reformist holds political position but if a conservationist will want things to be the same. Religion ties in with a person's belief and values. Depending on the religion, a person will be more likely to have moral values and religious beliefs that will either want change or deter from change.