Final answer:
Social informatics is a theoretical perspective that studies the impact of technology on society and individuals, especially as society transitions to an information-based era characterized by digital technology and nonmaterial goods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theoretical perspective that addresses changes in society and the individual in relation to technology and its influence on social structures is known as social informatics. This interdisciplinary study examines how technology affects and is affected by social practices. Transformations in our society, especially the shift to an information society, are analyzed by considering the complex interactions among individuals, technology, and social institutions.
Sociological theories of self-development further explain how the digital technology and nonmaterial goods characteristic of modern society contribute to social change by affecting personal relationships and societal norms. Informatics theories integrate ideas from sociology, psychology, and technology studies to examine the cumulative effect of modern innovations on individual and societal transformation.
When scholars analyze media and technology, they adopt various sociological perspectives to understand the impact of scientific and technological innovations on society, including the political process.