Getting To Know Cultural Lag, Causes Of Cultural Disadvantage In A Society
Get to know the cultural lag (Freepic)

YOGYAKARTA - Changes and cultural acculturation become a phenomenon that usually occurs in the era of information disclosure like now. One of the phenomena that occurs a lot because the entry of a new culture is cultural lag. Although it has happened in our society, not many people know the cultural lag and the causes.

Cultural lag occurs when a new culture enters a certain society or community. This condition is actually just a transition process where people need to adapt to a new culture. Maybe it looks like a cultural shock, but cultural lags have different concepts and understandings.

Cultural lags are usually caused by a lack of public knowledge in the face of changes that occur in their community or environment. As for people living in the era of globalization and digital media, it is important to know the cultural lag and for example.

Cultural lag is defined as a cultural underdeveloped condition in a society. Cultural lag is a sociological concept initiated for the first time by sociologist William F. Ogburn in 1922. Ogburn explained that culture and growth do not always go hand in hand or in harmony.

Cultural lag is a situation that occurs due to different stages of progress in various cultures. This phenomenon occurs when changes in society, such as economics, technology, or social institutions take place quickly due to appropriate cultural changes.

The cultural lag phenomenon is actually very natural or common in a society. Each community has a cultural aspect that contains values, beliefs, norms, traditions, and practices that are used as guidelines by members of the community.

The cultural aspects that have been adhered to for a long time cannot always adapt quickly to the social changes around them. Because the process of cultural change takes longer or occurs gradually because it involves believed thoughts, behavior, and values.

Cultural lag isa has both positive and negative impacts. On the one hand, the cultural transition process provides time for the community to evaluate and understand the changes that occurred before being adopted as a new culture. In addition, cultural lag can also trigger conflict or incompatibility in society.

Cultural lag can be caused by various factors related to social and community conditions. Here are some triggers for the occurrence of cultural lags that you need to know:

One of the things that can trigger a cultural lag is the lack of public interest in social development. Some people may not be interested or interested in paying attention to changes in certain fields that require adjustments.

Apart from not caring about the community in cultural acculturation, the public may also lack insight into the cultural changes that occur. People who lack knowledge and lack understanding will find it difficult to adapt to a new culture.

Heterogeneity of society can also trigger a cultural lag in a community. The heterogeneities in question include poverty, lack of resources, to political instability.

This heterogeneity condition can be an obstacle in carrying out social development and changes, so that it can lead to cultural lags. In fact, in order to adapt to cultural changes, the community must be facilitated in accessing education, technology, or infrastructure.

Another factor that can trigger a cultural lag is the general development barrier. When a group or someone isolates themselves from a material culture in other communities, they tend to be untouched by the changes and developments that occur in a new culture.

People who experience these development barriers will find it difficult to develop and accept a new culture. This condition makes them experience cultural downside because they are unable to attract and adapt a new culture.

Some community communities have strong unity within their territory. This makes them more difficult or even reluctant to adapt to cultural changes that occur outside their area. Factors such as strong cultural identity, geographical isolation, or strong traditions can affect the lag behind this culture.

Such are the reviews of getting to know the cultural lag and several factors that need to be understood by the community. Although the entry of a new culture can lead to a positive direction, there are also negative impacts that can occur due to the cultural lag. Also read what a traditional economic system is.


The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)