Final answer:
Modernization is the process of a society progressing from traditional institutions to those of a more developed society, typically involving technological and infrastructural advancements. It's sometimes criticized for prioritizing Western standards and potentially overlooking the unique values of different societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which a society moves from traditional or less developed institutions to those characteristic of more developed societies is called modernization. This concept describes the increased specialization and differentiation of social structures, which facilitates a society's transition from an undeveloped state to a technologically advanced and developed state. Modernization often involves the sophisticated development of technology, industry, and infrastructure. In the historical context, Walt Rostow's model of economic development outlined the 'five stages of growth,' with societies moving from a 'traditional society' to a 'high mass consumption' society.
Despite its significance in social change, modernization is sometimes critiqued for its western-centric assumption that more modern societies are inherently superior. This brings a certain level of ethnocentric bias to the assessment of a society's progression and raises questions about whether modernization always results in positive outcomes for societies.