Social Impact of Technology

12 CAFS

Reasons for the Development of Technology

B – Betterment of societyI – Improvement on existing technologyG – Global community emergenceC – Competition with existing technologyO – OtherR – Response to social problemsE – Economic benefit

Social Betterment

SB

Invention of the motor vehicle

Invention of assistive technologi

es

Invention of communication technologies

Invention of the motor vehicleAllowed decrease in travel time and more efficient

means of transport. BUT has both positive and negative effects on wellbeing.

Invention of Communication technologiesGPS, mobile telephones, satellite broadband, internet,

Skype, etc.Has improved the wellbeing of people that live in rural

areas and isolated areas. Socially, emotionally and spiritual.

However, costs and maintenance are cons

Invention of assistive technologiesBraille, prosthetic limbs, educational resourcesPositive effect on physical, social, spiritual, economic

and political wellbeing however resources can be expensive

Improve upon technologyMore advanced, superior products than those

already offered.

IUT

Continuing developmen

t of the telephone

Continuing development

of the television

Continuing development of the telephone

What are the Positive and Negative aspects to wellbeing

The continuing development of televisionPositive wellbeing: emotional wellbeing(better reception, more options, etc)Negative wellbeing: encouraging

unnecessary spending

Emergence of a global communityTechnology assists in creating an interactive global

environment, in which communication is made possible between communities.

Communities that were once isolated by their location now have the ability to access other communities by means of technology such as aero plane, telephones, the internet and satellite television.

Companies have a global market and help with trade.The Internet has virtually transformed the world into a

global community. People meet lovers, surfers make friends, students seek information, and businesses find outsourcing companies to manufacture their goods, develop their products, and render services to their customers. All these happened and are still happening on the World Wide Web.

Positive implications to wellbeingPhysical, social, spiritual and political

wellbeingPolitical – financial gains and tradeSocial – effective warning services, global newsSocial – improved communication and

relationshipsSpiritual – tolerant of other cultures

Negative implications to wellbeingIncreased risk of computer-based crime due

to global social networkingIncreased risk of border security breaches

due to increased accessibility to transport

Competition with existing technology

Technology is often developed as a means of competition for consumer demand with other organizations or products.

Positive implications on wellbeing:Greater choiceGreater consumer satisfaction

Negative implications on wellbeingIncreased costs to individuals due to continued

introduction of new and improved productsMisleading information

OtherRead text book, page 344Performance enhancing technologies

Tailored swim suits – enhance buoyancySkins – compression for recoveryAnabolic steroids

Positive Implications: Enable athletes to achieve their best Enable coaches to direct and correct technique Training all year round

Negative implications: Higher incidence of drug use Unequal competition

Response to social problemsTechnology is often developed in an attempt

to prevent or respond to current or cultural social problems.

Assisted reproduction technologies• IVF

Water Saving devicesWater efficient shower headsFlow control devices in tapstanks

Health-related technologiesSunscreen – reduce lifestyle disease

Anti-pollution technologiesUnleaded petrol

Positive implications on wellbeing:Improved quality of life for individuals and

communitiesGreater life expectancy due to decreased

rates of morbidity and mortalityDecreased economic burden on health

system

Negative implications on wellbeing:Ethical issues associated with birth-related

technologiesEconomic burden of purchasing such

technologiesLarge amount of money needed for research

Economic BenefitThe production of a technology can result in

economic gain for both the producers and the consumers of a product.

Read page 343 in text book

Technology and Wellbeing

Technology and WellbeingTechnology can have significant effects on the

wellbeing of individuals and communities.Over time, various technologies have been created

in order to:Allow individuals to have greater control over their

environment.Assist individuals to be more efficient

communicators.Enhance individual’s understanding of the world

they live in.Technology can have both a positive and negative

effects on wellbeing.

Technology and Wellbeing

P – Practical wellbeingE – Emancipatory wellbeingT – Technical wellbeing

Example: Mobile PhoneMobile phones help

to create an informative, connected, culturally innovative society.

This impacts positively on an individual and a community’s social, cultural, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.

Example: Mobile PhonePositive changes in society

Negative impacts of phones

Competence in communications

Accessibility of information

SocialisationPolitical and social useYouth and new culture

(social, political and intellectual wellbeing)

Using mobile phones for kidnapping and blackmailing

Capturing inappropriate films and images

Bullying

(Physical, emotional, spiritual and political wellbeing)

Effects on personal life of youthWhat can be some of the positive and

negative implications mobile phones have on the youth of today?

E.G. relationships with family, friends,etcCommunicatingHealthConnectednessAccessibility

Practical WellbeingUnderstanding and communicating in the world

we know and in which we live.Some technologies allow individuals to complete

tasks more efficiently and in less complicated ways. These include the internet (email and social networking), mobile telephones, fax machines, assistive technologies such as Braille and technologies used in education such as web cams.

These have increased interaction with others, communicate more effectively and better understand the world.

SOCIOMOTIONAL WELLBEING is enhanced.

Technologies that can affect our practical wellbeing include the following:Communication technologies Educational technologiesGlobal technologies

Communication technologiesIncluding television, telephones, email,

faaxes and SMS. These technologies allow individuals to

communicate effectively with others, regardless of location or the time of day. This can affect individual wellbeing both socially and politically.

Negative effects: social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Social skills and communication skills due to decrease of face to face communication.

Educational technologiesIncluding computer games, talking books, smart

boards and interactive forums.Contribute to individuals’ political development,

allowing them to gain a better understanding of the world in which they live.

This leads to positive effects on their political, spiritual, social and physical wellbeing, as they become more independent and capable of making educated decisions.

Negative effect: socioeconomic status and limited access will effect political wellbeing (available in private schools and lack in government schools)

Global technologiesIncluding the internet, social networking and

satellite navigation.Access to technologies such as social

networking sites and satellite television allow individuals to develop a greater understanding of communication within the environments they live.

Negative effects include cyberbullying, internet predators and computer crime.

Emancipatory WellbeingAbility to participate effectively in a variety of

situations such as education, employment, recreation and the wider community.

When individuals can use technology to gain independence and participate effectively in society, they are likely to experience significant improved self-esteem and self identity.

As a result, their social, spiritual, physical and emotional wellbeing are positively affected.

Technologies that can affect our emancipatory wellbeing include the following:Education and employment -related

technologiesLifestyle and recreation – related technologiesCommunity – related technologies

Education and employment – related technologiesIncluding video-conferencing, web cams and

telecommuting.Such technologies create opportunities for

individuals to adopt flexible work patterns and conduct business outside the office. This has positive effects on indivduals’ and organisations’ economic, social and political wellbeing.

Negative effects: demand for ICT skills and demand for inservice. Negative effect on economic wellbeing.

Lifestyle and recreation-related technologies.Including protective equipment, mobile phones

and video games.Created freedom and access to a social life. Being active while remaining safe has a effect on

emancipatory wellbeing. Protective equipment such as helmets, mouthguards and modified equipment. This has had a positive effect on their social, physical and spiritual wellbeing.

Negative effects: youth engaging in risky behaviour due to developing a false sense of security.

Community-related technologyIncluding prostheses, hearing aids and

contraceptive technologies.Emancipatory wellbeing can be enhanced

through the use of devices that promote greater independence.

This affects the persons physical, emotional, social, spiritual and political wellbeing.

Negative effects: economic circumstances and lack of knowledge may effect the persons economic, social and spiritual wellbeing.

Technical WellbeingRefers to our ability to control our

environment.When an individual feels a sense of control

over their environment, they are more likely to feel greater independence and higher self esteem.

This gives them a greater sense of spiritual wellbeing.

Technologies that can affect our technical wellbeing include the following:Natural environmentPhysical environmentSocial environment

Natural environmentIncludes our natural surroundings such as

animals, plants and water.Plant cultivation and solar power

technologies help control the environment and individuals use these resources for financial gain. This will increase an individuals economic wellbeing.

Negative implications: solar power’s initials cost may be expensive.

Physical environmentIncludes buildings and transport.Buildings that have heating and air

conditioning help us control the environment therefore increasing our physical wellbeing. Also, the use of unleaded fuel.

Negative implications could relate to technical error when we rely on technology to control our physical environment.

Social environmentIncluding our participation within society

through the prevention of death, disability and sickness. For example, vaccination and transplant technology.

Vaccines affect our physical, social, emotional and economic wellbeing.

Negative affects may relate to the uneven distribution of medical technologies such as transplants, vaccinations and elective surgeries. This may effect physical and political wellbeing.

Technology and Wellbeing

Practical wellbeing

Emancipatory wellbeing

Technical wellbeing

Communication technologies

Educational technologies

Global technologies

Education and employment – related technologies

Lifestyle and recreation-related technologies

Community – related technologies

Natural environment

Physical environment

Social environment

Practice question“Technology is the key to meeting an

individual’s wellbeing in the twenty-first century” Discuss

Remember to refer to technical, practical and emancipatory aspects of wellbeing in your argument.

Factors Affecting Access to and Acceptance of ResourcesThe ability of people to use and accept

technology is affected by their personal acceptance level, their past experiences and their willingness to try something new. It is also affected by their values, standards and beliefs and general attitude to life.

BRAINSTORM SOME EXAMPLES:Some forms of technology include:Motor vehicles, IVF, TV, radio, computers, phones, iPods, microwaves, gadgets, memory sticks, USB, DVD, chain saw, ATM, electric shaver, electric drill

Factors

Age

Culture

Education

Economics

Gender

Economics

HSC QuestionBriefly explain why availability and

acceptance of technology varies.

The most significant reason why access and availability of technology varies between individuals is connected to the people themselves and their ability to accept change and adopt to something new, their values, past experiences and their general attitude to life.

The key areas include age, level and type of education, gender, the culture and geography area but they live in and their economic circumstances, which are linked to their employment.