Technological Determinism

Strong Version- believes that a technological change will have the same effect on society every time! Example: "Television makes people passive."

Weak Version- believes that technological changes mostly have the same effect on society. Example: "Television tends to make people passive unless they have been taught to be critical."

Cultural Determinism

Strong Version- believes that cultural factors determine what new technologies we get and use; argues from culture to technology. Example: "In our family we watch TV to relax. That's why we bought it, and that's how our family has always been."

Note: Cultural determinists tend to see many reasons for how and why a technology is used. Example: We need to relax as a family because we work too hard; because that is how our parents relaxed.