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cultural lag

A Dictionary of Sociology | 1998 | 383 words | Copyright

cultural lag A concept and theory developed by William F. Ogburn as part of a wider theory of technological evolutionism. It suggests that there is a gap between the technical development of a society and its moral and legal institutions. The failure of the latter to keep pace with the former is said, in certain societies, to explain (at least some) social conflict and problems.

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GORDON MARSHALL. "cultural lag." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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