Evolution in biology refers to the changing process of the gene pool over a period of time. The process is slow which bring about small variations that may result in new species. The process involves mutation and natural selection of genes that has dominant and strong characteristics. As a result of this process there is a tendency of change in the population composition as well as its functioning. In sociology, evolution means the process of transforming the non-linear factors that comprise of the society which may include the cultures, policy, law, education and population characteristics and behaviors (John 481). Evolutionary theory helps one to understand human demography especially when dealing with mortality rate, longevity, biostatistics of reproduction and other aspects of the demography. The Darwinian approach to evolutionary approach is a model that is based on natural selection and could be used to understanding human based behaviors such as biological evolution in psychology and group behaviors.

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Another aspect is Parson's evolutionary theory which helps one to understand types of change. To comprehend the evolutionary process of change however, one must understand that society is comprise of systems and structures that require constant change. Systematic maintenance for example enables one to understand the concept of social change that is result of restoration work to revive or revert to previous equilibrium level. Hence, migration shifts of population from one place to another enable distribution of work, income and urbanization. Structural differentiation is another aspect of evolutionary change based on the same theory. Functional specialization and interdependence of subunits in social structure is a common feature of most societies. Gradual change occurs when units are not considered useful or viable and a replaced by new ones. This is usually the case of changing economic conditions in the country which tend to change economic components to be replaced by new ones. For example the preference of the pounds and euro over the dollars in the current money markets (Social Change theories 2003).

The evolutionary theory no doubt allows one to understand the reason why gradual change takes place and offers reasons for the transformation in core values. It also offers the reasons why evolution is necessary for social growth. Evolution in the form of differentiation, problems, chaos etc. requires coordination, specialization, adaptation and control mechanisms. However, this theory is limited in its scope and extent as it does not take into account of innovations and emergence of new concepts which tend to change the level of acceptance or resistance among the individuals in the society. It also does not take into account of some factors that remain constant even through centuries of change.

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The evolutionary theory like any other sociological theory is strived with strengths and weaknesses. One of the most important aspects of the evolutionary theory is that it deals with systems, structures, adaptations and change as part of social stratification. Evolutionary theory is subjective when dealing with understanding social change. For example it offers a pervasive view of the trends that are inherent in the society for social growth; it also offers explanations of the complexity that prevail in mass societies by providing rationality, efficiency and the factors responsible or cultural parochialism (Social Change theories 2003).
On the other hand, evolutionary theory tend to offer simplistic explanations of social complexities such as the integration of technology into the lives of individuals and how it affect their psychology, their perception of the society, tolerance level as well as their beliefs with regard to social values and norms. Furthermore, since this theory is non-linear it takes into account of various factors thereby at times loses its focus in interpretation. For this reason Robert H. Lauer (1977, p.9) is of the opinion that evolutionary theory is conservative in its approach to understanding universal sociological problems that is far from normal change and ubiquity. The problem of social change is inherent in the rate of change as well as the change in human well being. Take for example the notion of trauma. Change is traumatic and is termed by sociologists as ordeal, crises, foreign or unwanted agents. The evidence is in mental illness that results from social change. The author further enumerates on the fact that psychological factors is a subset of social environment and hence any deterioration or change in the environment consequently has the same effect on the psychology. In pure evolutionary theory, one cannot use its model to explain this process of degradation less explain the nature of change. Instead, the functionalist approach is more appropriate as it deals with structuralism and systematic degradation (or upgrades).

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To resolve this problem, sociologists rely on other social change theories such as functionalism theory that relates to linear development. Functionalism is a theory of order and stability to explain structure, defining social activities and the social systems based on the functional role these components to differentiate or change the society (“Social Change Theories” 2003. Hence functionalism in contrast to evolutionary theory is more focused on the differential components by observing the changing trend in one direction first and then following this trend to analyze other factors. This kind of approach gives the sociologist direction and focus in understanding different factors and entities that influence one particular social change (Appelbaum 67). To take into account of one direction not only allow one to find resolutions for the same but it also enable the analyst to delve deeper into the causes and factors responsible for the problem through organization, step by step resolution etc. On the other hand critics are of the opinion that functionalism in itself is limited in understanding the dynamicism that is inherent in today's global world. It is weak in forming hypothesis for mass society like regional blocks, social trends and behaviors prevalent in such blocks. As Lauer (1977) writes:
"Nevertheless, there has been a resurgence of interest in social change in the last few decades, an interest that initially took the form of a critique of the inadequacies of structural-functionalism. Some efforts have been directed toward reconciling structural-functionalism with a conflict or dialectical perspective, while others have focused upon the development of new theory or the resurrection of abandoned theory."

For this reason the author concludes that there is no one perfect theory that could explain social change. Instead, to understand fully the extent and nature of the sociological change problem, one must use a combination of theoretical framework for forming unbiased and prudent opinions.