Dear,Kiran Grove

Cultural backwardness refers to the idea that culture takes time to catch up with technological innovations and that social problems and conflicts occur because of this underdevelopment. Later, the term cultural backwardness applies not only to this idea but also to theory and interpretation. Helps identify and explain social problems as well as predict future problems.

As James W. Woodward points out, when material conditions change, changes occur in adaptive culture, but these changes in adaptive culture do not coincide closely with the change in material culture, and this is cultural backwardness. The term was formulated by sociologist William F. Ogburn in his 1922 book Social Change with Respect to Culture and Original Natur. His theory of cultural underdevelopment suggests that a period of non-adaptation occurs when non-material culture struggles to adapt to circumstances This reflects the idea of technological determinism, in that it assumes that technology has implications for society as a whole.

According to Ogrin, cultural underdevelopment is a common societal phenomenon because of the tendency of material culture to evolve and change very quickly and very often, while non-material culture tends to resist change and remain as it is for a longer period of time. Given the opposing nature of these two aspects of culture, adapting to new technology becomes difficult. This distinction between physical and intangible culture is also a contribution to Ojbern's 1922 work on social change

Cultural underdevelopment causes problems for society in many ways. The issue of cultural underdevelopment is being carried out into any discussion with the subject of the application of some new technologies. For example, the emergence of stem cell research has led to the emergence of many new and potentially useful medical technologies; however, these new technologies have raised serious ethical questions about the use of stem cells in medicine. Cultural backwardness is a serious ethical issue. Failure to reach a broad community consensus on appropriate applications of new technology can lead to a rift in social cohesion and the emergence of social conflict

The term cultural lag is used to describe the situation in which technological advancements or changes in society occur faster than the changes in the rules and norms of the culture that goes along with those advancements or changes. This can lead to moral and ethical dilemmas for individuals as the new social norms are developed.

Cultural Lags Today:

School Calendars - Most schools still have a 9-month school year which was originally designed to let kids be home working in the fields during the summer when most families were involved in a farming culture.

Cancer Vaccine - A new vaccine became available against cervical cancer. Many aspects of society were not ready to approve the vaccine for their teenage children since they felt it condoned sexual activity by young adults.

Stem Cells -Research has shown that stem cells can be very effective in the treatment and cure of several diseases. However, society often still sees the use of stem cells, particularly those from an unborn fetus, to be an ethical issue.

In Vitro Fertilization - There is a case of a woman, Anetria Burnett, who allegedly saved her boyfriend’s sperm in the condom and received in vitro treatments without his knowledge, resulting in conception and birth of twin boys. Because of the speed at which technology has improved in the area of in vitro fertilization, there is no precedence in a case such as this and the consequences, should the story prove to be true, are as yet undeveloped. 

Life Support - Before living wills and advance directives were established, many individuals were being kept on life support without their relatives having any knowledge of what the individual would have wanted in the circumstance. Medical science moved so quickly in creating the sort of technology that would keep someone alive that society had yet to align. Family members and other loved ones did not know the consequences of keeping their relatives on life support and what the likelihood of recovery would be, causing much anguish. This was very evident in the highly publicized Terry Schiavo case.

Pregnancy Life Support - In another case involving life support, Robyn Benson of British Columbia is on life support, but is also pregnant. A similar case in 2013 involved a pregnant woman named Marlise Munoz. Family members must struggle with how to determine when to turn off life support when a woman is pregnant as life issues are involved regarding both the mother and the child. Again, the technology in medicine has moved so quickly that it is difficult for individuals to process situations such as these without an established social norm/expectation. 

Virtual Medical Appointment - Another case of cultural lag in the medical community involves situations in which technology is used as a means of checking up on a patient. For instance, in one situation, a child had surgery far away from his home. After returning home, his parents sent pictures of his healing wound to his surgeon to ensure that he was healing as he should be. While, on the one hand, this can be a valuable tool, on the other hand the consequences of using technology in that way have not been determined:

**To what level is the doctor liable when checking on a patient’s progress only via pictures taken using a mobile device?

**How much should patients trust such a method to ensure their health?

**What privacy laws exist to protect the patient by keeping pictures such as those only in the doctor’s office, not elsewhere?

Childhood Development - Since the 1980’s, video games have become increasingly popular. Many children, even at very young ages, have tablets on which they play regularly. However, research is increasingly supporting the idea of limiting these activities because of proof that children’s long term overuse of technology is negatively impacting the development of some motor skills and social skills. The development of games and technology far outpaced the development of research regarding the impact of the use of that technology. That lag has, possibly, resulted in stunted development in early childhood for many children. 

Best regards, Mourad

Fantastic answer Dr Dera. Agree with you.

تحياتي الصادقة

أشكركم سؤالك على

أولا، يجب علينا أن نحدد متى يكون المجتمع متخلفا ثقافيا ، ومتى هو متقدم؟

وهذا يعني أهمية تعريف الثقافة.

 ثانيا، ما موقفنا من فكرة النسبية؟

Thirdly, a society may be advanced on one side, and not advanced in other aspects. Do we say that it is advanced or backward?

تحية طيبة

You are absolutely correct Madam. That's why the traditional culture are still there way in culture system and people fails to adopt technological advances. 

In the world of today, a classification of cultures into superior & inferior has caused immense problems that led into waging wars.

I prefer to restrict my comment on a material cultural lag which means the time distance between an invention of a technological product & its widespread among societies. Example: In old times, there was a 50 years lag between the invention of the typewriter & its usage at schools which adapted to the newcomer then.

In these days, we can see shorter times between the appearance of a novel product & its application in various sectors, e.g. smart phones. However, we cannot generalize because in some cases, there are real hurdles which cause a lag. Example: a long life car tire was invented that can serve around 15 years but I do not think that we will see it on the road in the near future.

I think that cultural lag is wide range word. So studying its definition in a society requires its independent variables, which may change in variability between the various countries around the world. Here in Iraq we have at least some 80% cultural lag because of the absence of honesty. Best regards.  

The cultural lag in our societies is due to the lack of proper understanding of what culture actually is. Culture is not a stereotyped lived experiences merely handed down to younger generations. It is a dynamic, ever-evolving way of life that takes cognizance of the changing circumstances in the society and adapts as and when it become necessary. Yet, local communities must be assisted to embrace these changes gradually with a strategy toward handling it from their perspective. There should be mutual respect and active communication between them with no marginalization but effective social inclusion. Culture is beautiful, and when brilliantly regulated, it would help societies to progress in development. The often counter productive areas of local cultures must be rid off but with caution not to hurt their owners. Best regards

Dickson Adom

The cultural lag is also between understanding about climate change and those who have little background and cannot grasp the science behind it (Trump is one of them).

The answer is education. It should be compulsory for all children worldwide.

Derra Mourad,

Thanks for your absolute answer, in which you keenly pointed out the different aspects  to understand cultural lag.

Nizar Matar,

Thank you for your well rounded comparison between  the appearance of a novel product & its application in various sectors.

Nabeel Hameed Al-Saati,

Thanks for your opinion that's related to practicality.

 Dickson Adom,

you discuss ever-evolving way of life that takes cognizance of the changing circumstances in the society & also discuss social inclusion that is need of the hour.You have opened the discussion very nice which is understandable for everyone.Thanks a lot.

Michael Issigonis,

Thank you so much for your kind  recommendation to my so simple post,you discuss open view between understanding about climate change and those who have little background and cannot grasp the science.

Amit Ranjan,

Thanks for your kind reply and interest in this question.

Thanks a lot, Sir

عباس امير معارز الشمري

Anirbid Sircar,

Thanks you participating in discussion.

This question is not of my specialty. However, I suppose that every social phenomenon has advantages and disadvantages and that the same would be true about cultural lag. Examples of disadvantages caused by cultural lag are mentioned in the explanation of the question. On the other hand, cultural lag might be useful, for example, for having time to consider and prepare for the risk of a new technology.

Prof  Schwarz  has explained it very beautifully/philosophically  ....

There is no escape from technical advancements , if people /systems resist then there is a price to pay (sooner or later) .

As far as I have seen , it should be implemented  not  optional ....

Please let me know if the following references/sites are helpful:

1.  The 'Cultural Lag' Theory

www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2753/RSS1061-1428020839Similar

by NI Osmova - ‎1961 - ‎Cited by 1 - ‎Related articles

The 'Cultural Lag' Theory. By N. I. Osmova. A critique of the “cultural lag” theory evolved by Western sociologists - with particular emphasis on the work of W.

2.  Concepts: Cultural Lag, Assimilation, Acculturation and Cultural

cms.gcg11.ac.in/attachments/article/214/unit%203-%20concepts.pdf

The concept of Cultural Lag was first introduced by William. F. Obgurn in the study of Social. Change. In this theory, he emphasized on the relation between two ...

3.   Cultural lag cultural relativism - WordPress.com

https://jesromero.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/culturallag-concise.pdfCached

4.  Cultural lag. The thesis of ''cultural lag'' formulated by the North. American sociologist William F. Ogburn can be con- sidered among the earliest sociological ...

5.  The Theory of Cultural Lag and the Veblenian Contribution

www.suz.uzh.ch/dam/jcr:00000000-36d7-41d4-ffff.../ogburn2_veblen.pdfCached

by WP GLADE - ‎Cited by 11 - ‎Related articles

The Theory of Cultural Lag and the. Veblenian Contribution. By WILLIAM P. GLADE. Introduction. THE INTELLECTUAL FASHION of the times has decreed that ...

Dennis

Dennis Mazur

Completely agree with dear Dr. Dickson post. In the whole history, community culture plays an important role in well building nations.

(65%) Culture + (35%) Education = (100%) Success.

Regards, Emad

Perhaps you can using the term "digital culture lat" might be more appropriate to contextualize the question as "culture" is a broad term that can have different meanings: https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/al/globalpad/openhouse/interculturalskills/global_pad_-_what_is_culture.pdf

Best regards,

Debra

Tatsuo Tabata Sir,

Thanks for your opinion that's related to advantages and disadvantages.

Wolfgang F. Schwarz Sir,

Thanks for your kind answer, in which you keenly pointed out the necessary method to understand cultural lag.

Aparna Sathya Murthy,

Thanks for your opinion that's related to practicality.

Dennis Mazur,

Thanks for your absolute answer, in which you keenly pointed out the different aspects to understand cultural lag.

Emad Kamil Hussein,

Thanks for your kind answer, you rightly said "In the whole history, community culture plays an important role in well building nations".

Debra Sharon Ferdinand-James,

You have opened the discussion very nice which is understandable for everyone by discuss some aspects related to cultural lag & giving link also.

 I completely agree with Derra Mourad

Culture lag is defined as the time between the appearance of a new material invention and the making of appropriate adjustments in corresponding area of non-material culture. This time is often long. It was over fifty years, for example, after the typewriter was invented before it was used systematically in offices. Even today, we may have a family system better adapted to a farm economy than to an urban industrial one, and nuclear weapons exist in a diplomatic atmosphere attuned to the nineteenth century. As the discussion implies, the concept of culture lag is associated with the definition of social problems. Scholars envision some balance or adjustment existing between material and non-material cultures. That balance is upset by the appearance of raw material objects. The resulting imbalance is defined as a social problem until non-material culture changes in adjustment to the new technology.

http://www.sociologyguide.com/basic-concepts/Cultural-Lag.php

Dear,Kiran Grove

Cultural backwardness refers to the idea that culture takes time to catch up with technological innovations and that social problems and conflicts occur because of this underdevelopment. Later, the term cultural backwardness applies not only to this idea but also to theory and interpretation. Helps identify and explain social problems as well as predict future problems.

As James W. Woodward points out, when material conditions change, changes occur in adaptive culture, but these changes in adaptive culture do not coincide closely with the change in material culture, and this is cultural backwardness. The term was formulated by sociologist William F. Ogburn in his 1922 book Social Change with Respect to Culture and Original Natur. His theory of cultural underdevelopment suggests that a period of non-adaptation occurs when non-material culture struggles to adapt to circumstances This reflects the idea of technological determinism, in that it assumes that technology has implications for society as a whole.

According to Ogrin, cultural underdevelopment is a common societal phenomenon because of the tendency of material culture to evolve and change very quickly and very often, while non-material culture tends to resist change and remain as it is for a longer period of time. Given the opposing nature of these two aspects of culture, adapting to new technology becomes difficult. This distinction between physical and intangible culture is also a contribution to Ojbern's 1922 work on social change

Cultural underdevelopment causes problems for society in many ways. The issue of cultural underdevelopment is being carried out into any discussion with the subject of the application of some new technologies. For example, the emergence of stem cell research has led to the emergence of many new and potentially useful medical technologies; however, these new technologies have raised serious ethical questions about the use of stem cells in medicine. Cultural backwardness is a serious ethical issue. Failure to reach a broad community consensus on appropriate applications of new technology can lead to a rift in social cohesion and the emergence of social conflict

Dear,

Thank you for sharing this great question! You already have excellent contributions and I agree with the proposal of @Asim Hakim Abbas.

The term "cultural lag" refers to the fact that culture takes time to catch up with technological innovations, resulting in social problems.

The term cultural lag refers to the notion that culture takes time to catch up with technological innovations, and that social problems and conflicts are caused by this lag. Cultural lag is not only a concept, as it also relates to a theory and explanation in sociology. Cultural lag helps to identify and explain social problems and to predict future problems.

Although there is some lethargy to adopt changes but ones culture has to be flexible as change is law of nature. If something good already exists then its OK otherwise such culture will lag behind. Its better to adopt changes rather than resist them especially those which are progressive. In view of this one has open mind to question almost everything. When cultural customs are shielded by using ones religion then it becomes lethal for society. It's happening in many regions especially non democratic societies. 

Asim Hakim Abbas,

Thank you for your well rounded comparison between the two phrases in which I thank you so much.

Osmar Antonio Bonzanini,

Thanks for your participation in discussion.

Ahmed Al mayahi,

Thanks for your kind reply and interest in this question

MUNISH KUMAR,

Thanks for your kind answer, in which you keenly pointed out the main view that's help to understand Cultural Lag.

Arwa Abdulrasoul Salman,

Thanks a lot,madam.

 Mahfuz Judeh,

You have opened the discussion very nice which is understandable for everyone. I thank you so much for the relevant attached literature.

Due to the change  in social environment & fabrics due to the scientific & technological development with the progressive entry of computer & mobile ,the information generally for the development may come at the faster rate to the member of the society .

With this due to the mobility & the presentation on media with the cultural approach of the various part of the nation it gives certainly impact on the members of the society.

With this with the standard of living of different members obviously one man not take the advantage of the necessary development with they are observing in the society which may create a problem of inferiority complex to such member with the passage of the time due to the nearness of social group , it may create a confidence in the development in the outlook of the culture .

This is my personal opinion 

.

Rohit M Parikh Sir,

Thanks a lot.

Cultural lag. The term cultural lag refers to the notion that culture takes time to catch up with technological innovations, and that social problems and conflicts are caused by this lag. ... The term was coined by sociologist William F. Ogburn in his 1922 work Social change with respect to culture and original nature.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_lag

Cultural Lag exists between younger and older generations.

Ali hadi Ghawi,

Thanks sir for giving link.

 Anirbid Sircar,

Thanks for giving your views.