Technological Realism

   Many sociological approaches to technology fall into the extreme categories of technological or social determinism. Technological determinists generally overlook the social contexts in which technology is introduced. Conversely, social determinists claim technological advancement is the result of social or cultural forces. To avoid these extreme positions, Schroeder (1997) argues for "a realistic viewpoint which takes into account both the growth of scientific knowledge and the material make-up of technological artifacts, on the one hand, and the social settings in which these become embedded, on the other". The realistic perspective asks questions such as: Where do the advances in technology come from? What are the changing relationships between technological artifacts and social life? Realists examine the changing relationships between technology and social life and how they influence each other.

   Technological realism is a philosophy that argues technology is a powerful agent for social change and progress. Unlike technological determinists, realists believe that people can control and direct the ways in which technology is used. Technological realists have a Utopian view about the human spirit; they argue that social values will encourage people to use technology wisely. Technological neutralism similarly supports a Utopian view of technology and society relationships, but in contrast to technological realists, neutralists consider technology to be neutral and free of bias. They argue that technology does not promote one type of behavior over another. Both technological realists and neutralists place human agency at the center of technological change. Instead of a cause-and-effect relationship between technology and social change, the ways in which technology is adopted by a society are directed by people.