What process involves significant social change that fundamentally alters societal structures?

The concept of transformative change refers to a profound and significant shift in societal structures, values, and practices that can alter the fabric of a society. This type of change often results in new systems of governance, social orders, or ways of thinking that fundamentally reshape relationships within a community or between different groups.

In the context of social change, transformative change can result from various factors, including technological advancements, social movements, or shifts in cultural norms. Examples include the civil rights movement, the feminist movement, and the digital revolution, which have all led to pivotal changes in how societies operate and understand issues like equality, gender roles, and information sharing.

The other processes, while they may involve change, do not necessarily result in a fundamental alteration of societal structures. Incremental change typically refers to gradual adjustments that improve or adapt existing systems without radically redefining them. Evolutionary change denotes a slow development that occurs over time, often in response to environmental pressures, while adaptive change is focused on adjustments that help societies cope with external challenges without overhauling the fundamental structures. Thus, transformative change stands out as the process that specifically signifies a deep and structural societal shift.