The Social Change Indicators Matrix outlines four indicators of social change: shifts in definitions, shifts in behaviors, shifts in engagement, and shifts in policies. For each indicator, it describes the definition of the shift, typical strategies to create the shift, and the general scale of influence and resources required to create the shift. The matrix provides a framework for understanding different types of social change and planning strategies to create change.

1. The Social Change Indicators Matrix
Indicator of
Social Change
Impact
Shifts in
Definitions
The
issue
defineddifferently
thecommunity
largersociety.
Shifts in
Behaviors
People
behavingdifferently
thecommunity
largersociety.
Definition of Shift
An issue or idea is given
newmeaning. The community
sees
the
is orsociety
issuedifferently as a result of
in
(i.e.
rape
is
or yourwork
understood asan act of violence
with
legaland
civil
consequences…not
asexual
transgression).
An
individual
(and/or
thecommunity)
does
are thingsdifferently and for the
in better,
or usually building a sense of
personal
empowerment.
Peopleindividually
act
differentlyand/or
the
community actsdifferently (i.e.
women seekappropriate health
care
forthemselves/family,
andcommunity is providing
more).
Typical
Strategies/Activities
Linked to the Shift
Research, documentation of
actual experiences,articulating
concepts through
writing and/or presentations.
Immediate
support
forindividuals and families in
need
and/or
for
organizationsserving immediate
needs
(e.g.clinics,
health
services,
healtheducation,
tutoring, trainingand building
of skills).
Scale of Influence /
Resources Required (time
and money)
Potential to be large and
profound
–locally
and
globally.Sometimes
small
resources can spark achange.
Combining shift #1 and #3
canbe
effective
for
accomplishing “buy-in”of new
definitions. One-time funding
ofresearch/dialogue
can
sometimes
resultin
new
definitions.
Usually smaller-scale, changing
peopleone-by-one. Many oneby-one effortscan result in large
numbers in acommunity being
served.Resources depend on
the numbers of
those in need. A small-scale
project canoften help many and
model a betterway. But
eventually
behavioral
changebecomes more valuable
when itcatches-on on a large
scale. Multiyear
funding is usually required.

2. Shifts in
Engagement
People in thecommunity or
largersociety
are
moreengaged.
More people are engaged in
anidea of action as a result
ofyour work. Ideally, enough
people get involved that they
are
noticed,
voices
are
heard,i.e. a critical mass of
“tippingpoint”
is
reached
(e.g.individuals from groups
and/orgroups
coalesce
for
regionalimpact and numbers of
peopleand organizations make
adifference).
Organizational,
local,
Shifts in Policies
regional,state,
national
or
An
internationalpolicy or practice
institutional,organizational
orlegislative policy orpractice has changedto better serve
social
changeideals
(e.g.
has changed
specific lawschange and/or
institutionalsystems change or
practices
change).
Earlier progress on issues is
Current Position
maintained
in
the
face
Maintained
Past
gains
have ofopposition (e.g. funding for
breast cancer research is
beenmaintained.
savedfrom budget cuts).
Community-based
organizingand
public
education(including
media
education);media
campaigns;networking;
supporting agroup to find
collectivestrength or identity,
etc.
Public policy reform,education
and interaction withpolicy and
system-level
decision-makers.
Strengthen
organizations
andleaders and their ability
towithstand backlash and
resistance to change.
Potential to be large and
profound,especially
when
“critical mass” isdefined more
explicitly to match the
vision or goal.Usually requires
large financialresources and
multiple years ofattention to
assist
organizing
efforts,institutional coalitions
or
developmentof
intermediaries and networks,
oftenincluding media strategies.
Potential to be large-scale if
changeoccurs at state or
national policy levels;local
systemic change (schools,
courts,etc)
can
also
be
important.Usually
requires
multiple years ofinvestments
and a variety of
approaches.
Often the work is complex and
requiresthe interactions of
people
from
manylevels,
including community-based.
Resources needed depend on
the scale
of the resistance effort.