Final answer:
Culture change refers to the dynamic process in which a society's beliefs, values, and practices evolve over time, often influenced by material and non-material culture adaptations, innovations, and the spread of ideas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Culture change refers to the transformation that occurs within the beliefs, values, norms, and practices of a society. This can result from the introduction of new technologies, ideas, practices, or objects, known as material culture, which then have an impact on non-material culture (such as norms, languages, and values).
For instance, innovations like railroads or smartphones have significantly altered our ways of traveling and communicating. Similarly, cultural adaptation is the process where cultural changes help humans to become better suited to their environment, such as the use of fire for warmth or the advent of farming.
There are several mechanisms through which culture change can occur, including innovation, diffusion, and globalization. As these new elements merge with existing cultural practices, they create dynamism within a culture, continually reshaping it. This process is illustrated in community change strategies, which emphasize the importance of building social cohesion and adopting an asset-based approach to strengthen a community's cultural and social resources.
In summary, culture is not static but an evolving entity that adjusts and reacts to new inventions, ideas, and influences, leading to an ever-changing tapestry of societal practices and beliefs.