Final answer:
The four specific developments identified by Cohen that underscore overall change are diffusion, occupational specialism/political stratification/wealth stratification, the spreading influence of existentialist and pragmatist movements, and the spread of democratic ideals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four specific developments identified by Cohen that underscore overall change are:
- Diffusion: This refers to the movement of an element of culture from one society to another. It can happen through trade, migration, or conquest, and it leads to the spread and adoption of new ideas, technologies, and practices.
- Occupational specialism, political stratification, and wealth stratification: These three elements together represent the shift from relative homogeneity to heterogeneity in human populations. Occupational specialism refers to the division of labor and the emergence of specialized roles and professions. Political stratification refers to the formation of social and political hierarchies, while wealth stratification refers to the unequal distribution of economic resources.
- Spreading influence of existentialist and pragmatist movements: These philosophical movements played a significant role in shaping cultural change by questioning traditional beliefs and fostering new ways of thinking about meaning, purpose, and human agency.
- Spread of democratic ideals: The spread of democratic ideals represents a change in political systems and governance, where power is vested in the people and decisions are made through participatory processes.