Social and Technological Determinisms

Abstract

The Determinism Theories form a relational base between different disciplines, and social determinism theory is one of the basis of sociology. However, the increasing role of technology has re-emerged social determinism versus technological determinism. While social determinism has asserted that it is social interactions and structures that determine an individual's behavior, technological determinism has shown the impact of external factors on an individual's behavior, hence the problem between social and technological determinism; each of them wants to eliminate the other, but this relational interlacement between them refers to the deterministic relationship between technology and social sciences that manifests the sociology of communication through the relationship and impact of technology on the individual and society. The debate is between the best way to understand relationships between an individual, institutions and technology. There is a view that discusses the idea that institutions and social variables influence the choice and use of technology. In contrast, there is another view that assumes that technology builds institutions and determines individuals' behaviors. Modern technology and media integration and communication have brought social determinism and technological determinism theories back to the forefront to ask a key question who is the controller of people's lives, is it the social structures and interactions or the technology?