Chapter+16+Social+Change+in+Modern+and+Postmodern+Societies

__**Class society**__-a capitalist society with pronounced social stratification North Shore High School's student is widely based on a class society. There are superior groups and minor groups. The superior group would be the plastics, and the less superior group would be the "Art freaks," or Janice and Damien.

__**Claims Making**__-The process of trying to convince the public and public officials of the importance of joining a social movement to address a particular issue. When the junior girls of North Shore High get out of hand, the school administrators call an assembly. The make this movement to try to address the point of harassment and teasing in the school. This is a result of the burn book the Plastic's wrote, and because it has become this much of an influence on the students.

__**Anomie**__-a condition in which society provides little moral guidance to individuals. An ideal school one of the main purposes is to teach children good morals that they will carry on through their lives and become good people for the future. However, at North Shore High this is not necessarily true. Durkheim was correct because there isn’t good guidance to the individuals at their school. They do try, but it doesn’t always work. This is why the girls act the way they do, always partying and being mean to each other.

__**Social Change**__- the transformation of culture and social institutions over time When Cady first goes to North Shore High the school is run by the Plastics. Over time, though, the school gradually changes because of the controversy the girls bring about. There is no more bickering between girls or gossiping behind each other's backs. Instead, everyone has an understanding of who each other is and they respect that. By the end of the movie the school is less hostile and a little more friendly.

__**Social Character-**__ personality patterns common to members of a particular society. In high school many of the teenagers have the same personality traits. Every teenager wants to belong to a group and feel comfortable within that group. In the movie, teenagers are shown as being emotional, evil, and making bad decisions. For example, Janis, Cady, and Damian all come together to get back at Regina for all the trouble she has caused the school.

__**Other-Directedness**__- openness to the latest trends and fashions, often expressed by imitating others. The Plastics are known for the provocative clothing they were to school and out of school. At school they were the latest trends, which are short skirts and expensive clothing. Out of school, the Plastics wear very provocative clothing at parties.