Question

How does the relation between instrumental and ceremonial motives change in stable environments? Based on this, what can we say about general trends in societal development?

Answer 1

Within stable environment institutional changes mostly occur as a result of exploring more effective alternative solutions to problems within the social sphere leading to formation of new social environment with further adoptions for improvement. Due to learning and advancement in technology constant option for improvement are continuously available for implementing changes in institutions adopting the better alternative in order to achieve better efficiency or other benefits which may result which is instrumental motive change due to a practical reason of selecting better options to achieve goals. Ceremonial motivation for institutional change results from a desire to improve status within a group or an attempt to maintain the status one is presently as which we require adaptation to keep up with the required changes to maintain spaces.

Ceremonial motivation becomes extremely important in a stable environment due to stability having been achieved over a period of time with effort having been input for achieving specific result which have provided ceremonial status to the individual or entity. With achievement of ceremonial status motivational behaviour experience is a shift from being oriented towards identification of optimal solution providing improvement to a preference for consideration of status and hierarchy providing greater benefits in comparison to instrumental motivation due to greater perceived value within the status achieved and maintenance of it or achievement of greater status. This results in an environment of stagnation with solidification of existing structures due to resistance to change as it is perceived as a threat to the stability and the status achieved with the benefits derived from implementing instrumental change achieving improvement as not providing adequate value. Until and unless the end requires instrumental change to be implemented for maintenance of status achieved it may not be perceived as providing adequate benefit. The value system within a society largely impact the existing ceremonial structure on the basis of which type of society and culture. In a value system acknowledging economics Axis as the major factor for providing social recognition and status all the symbols of economics success exceptional importance and relevance in providing ceremonial status.