The factors that resist the process of social change:
Lack of New Inventions: Social changes depends on the invention of new objects, techniques, thoughts, devices and plans to a great extent. Changes will take place without much opposition if the people have the strong craving for new things. Lack of inventions as such, do not provide a favorable atmosphere for change.
Rejection or Non-Acceptance of New Inventions: No change is possible if people go on rejecting the new inventions. Ex
(1) Dr. William Harvey’s Blood Circulation Theory, and Galileo’s theory concerning the planetary system and the movements of earth, were opposed in the beginning
(2) opposition came in the British Parliament for the use of steam energy in British Naval Ships.
Imperfections of New Inventions: In the beginning, inventions are generally subject to imperfections, such as inadequate performance, easy breakage, and difficulty of repair. Social inventions also have imperfections in the beginning. People may oppose them for their inadequacies.
Fear Towards the New: Man has not only love for the past but also fear for the new. People express their fear for the new while making use of the new objects, listening to the new thoughts and following a new practice.
Tradition and Reverence for the past: People are traditional in their attitudes, the old and the traditional practices and things and ideas are upheld by the people. People are emotionally and sentimentally bound by them.
Ignorance: Due to ignorance people often oppose new inventions and changes. It usually takes time for a new discovery or a tool or a technique to be understood.
Habit: Habit is another obstacle to social change. Individuals are very much influenced by habit and customs. People are not ready to give up a particular to which they have been habituated to, and adopted a new one.
