NCERT Class 12 Sociology Social Change and Development in India: Chapter 5 — Change and Development in Industrial Society
This chapter, 'Images of Industrial Society,' from NCERT's Class 12 Sociology textbook 'Social Change and Development in India,' explores the intricate relationship between industrialization, work, and social relations in India. It uses the example of the film industry in Mumbai to illustrate how industrial work shapes social structures, divisions, and commonalities among people. The chapter delves into how factors like technology, caste, kinship, gender, and region influence the organization of work and marketing of products. It raises critical questions about gender roles in professions and societal perceptions of 'masculine' versus 'feminine' jobs. Sociologists' interest in production, labor, and consumption patterns as social outcomes, rather than individual choices, is highlighted. The text also introduces foundational sociological thinkers like Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, who associated urbanization and changing social relationships with the rise of industrial society.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Sociology |
| Book | Social Change and Development in India |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — Change and Development in Industrial Society |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 66 |
Learning outcomes
- Analyze the impact of industrialization on social relations and structures in India.
- Understand how factors like gender, caste, and region influence work organization and marketing.
- Critically examine societal perceptions of gender roles in different professions.
- Recognize the sociological significance of production, labor, and consumption patterns.
- Identify key sociological thinkers associated with the study of industrial society.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Industrialisation | The process of developing industries in a country or region on a wide scale. |
| Urbanisation | The process by which towns and cities are formed and become larger as more people begin living and working in central areas. |
| Social Relations | The way in which people or groups of people behave towards each other. |
| Gender | The state of being male or female, especially when considered with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones. |
| Kinship Networks | The system of social relationships connecting people by ancestry, marriage, or adoption. |
| Sociologists | Experts in or students of sociology. |
| Face-to-face relationships | Interactions that occur when people are physically present with each other. |
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Practice questions
- How does the film industry in Mumbai exemplify the concept of social divisions within a city? Answer: The film industry in Mumbai shows social divisions based on income and profession, with film stars living in affluent areas like Juhu while extras live in places like Girangaon, and their lifestyles (food, clothing) also differ significantly.
- What societal factors might influence the representation of women in certain professions like nursing or teaching? Answer: Societal perceptions that women are suited for caring and nurturing roles, as opposed to 'tough' or 'masculine' jobs, can influence their representation in professions like nursing or teaching.
- According to the text, why might coffee advertisements in India display two cups while American ones show one? Answer: In India, drinking coffee is often a social activity to socialize with others, hence the display of two cups, whereas in America, it's often seen as an individual wake-up activity, hence one cup.
- Name three sociologists mentioned in the text who associated social features with industrialization. Answer: Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim are the three sociologists mentioned.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which city's film industry is used as an example in the chapter to discuss social change and development?
Explanation: The text explicitly uses Bollywood in Mumbai as a primary example to illustrate concepts related to industrial society and social change.
Q2. The chapter suggests that social institutions like caste, kinship, gender, and region influence:
Explanation: The text states that these social institutions influence 'the way that work is organised or the way in which products are marketed'.
Q3. According to the text, why might society perceive nursing as 'harder' work than designing a bridge?
Explanation: The text questions this perception, implying that societal views associate nursing with caring roles, which are often gendered, rather than its actual physical demands compared to other jobs.
Q4. Sociologists are interested in questions of who produces what, who works where, and who sells to whom because these are:
Explanation: The chapter emphasizes that these are not individual choices but 'outcomes of social patterns'.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a commonality that unites residents of Mumbai?
Explanation: While the text mentions differences in food habits (sushi vs. vada pav), eating Japanese sushi is presented as a lifestyle difference, not a commonality uniting all residents.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main focus of Chapter 5, 'Images of Industrial Society'?
The chapter focuses on how industrialization changes social relations in India, examining the organization of work, marketing, and the influence of social institutions like gender, caste, and kinship.
How does the chapter illustrate social divisions within a city?
It uses the example of Mumbai's film industry to show how people's professions and earnings lead to different living areas, lifestyles, and social experiences within the same city.
What role do social institutions play in the context of work, according to the chapter?
Social institutions like caste, kinship, gender, and region influence how work is organized and how products are marketed.
Why are sociologists interested in questions about who produces, works, and sells what?
Sociologists study these questions because they are seen as outcomes of social patterns rather than just individual choices, and they influence how society functions.
Which classical sociologists are mentioned in relation to industrial society?
Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim are mentioned as thinkers who associated social features like urbanization and changing relationships with industrialization.
What does the chapter suggest about gender and certain professions?
It raises questions about why women are concentrated in jobs like nursing or teaching, exploring societal perceptions of 'caring' versus 'masculine' work.
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NCERT Class 12 Sociology — Social Change and Development in India — Chapter 5 — Change and Development in Industrial Society. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.