RESISTANCE TO AND ACCEPTANCE OF SOCIAL CHANGE
Not all proposed innovations are accepted by the society. Some years ago, Spicer suggested that proposed changes meet resistance when 1) the change is imposed by others, (2) the change is not understood, or (3) the change is seen as a threat to people’s values [Spicer, 1952 p. 18]. A process of selective nccepiance operates as some innovations are accepted instantly and some only after long delay; some are rejected entirely, and others are accepted in part, Thus we accepted completely the Indians’ corn; accepted and modified
their tobacco; accepted in a very small, highly modified way their totemic clans (Boy I Scout “beaver” and “wolverine” patrols); and totally rejected their religion. Acceptance of innovations is never total and is always selective according to several considerations.
