Historian Dr. James Park argues that technological determinism—the idea that technology drives historical change—overstates technology's role while ignoring social context that shapes how technologies are used.
Which historical example would best support Park's social context argument?
Technology has changed society
Different societies are different
Identical printing press technology led to literacy and democracy in Europe but was suppressed in the Ottoman Empire for centuries—same technology, opposite outcomes determined by social context
Historians study technology
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. Same technology + opposite social outcomes proves context determines effect.
💡 Strategy: Challenging determinism needs same-technology, different-outcome cases.