Cultural change refers to the way in which societies change their patterns of culture. The impetus for change can be internal or external. There are two major approaches to studying cultural change: evolutionary and revolutionary.

The evolutionary approach views cultural change as a gradual process. It occurs slowly over time as societies adapt to new conditions. Changes in the natural environment or ecology can lead to gradual adaptations in cultural practices. Similarly, contact with other cultures or processes of adaptation can slowly influence and modify existing cultural patterns.

The revolutionary approach studies rapid and radical transformations. When a culture is transformed rapidly and its values and meaning systems undergo a radical change, revolutionary change takes place. This can be initiated through political intervention, technological innovation, or ecological transformation. The French Revolution (1789) is a classic example, which transformed French society by destroying the estate system, abolishing the monarchy, and inculcating values of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Both approaches recognise that cultural change can result from internal developments or external interventions. Internal causes include innovations like new methods of farming that boost production and transform quality of life. External causes include conquest or colonisation that affect deep-seated changes in cultural practices and behaviour.