Social Constructionism

A Social Constructionism is a theory of knowledge that posits the ways in which individuals and groups participate in the construction of their perceived social reality.

• Context:
  • It can emphasizes that much of what is perceived as 'reality' is actually a product of social processes and interactions.
  • It can challenges the notion that our understanding of reality is solely based on empirical observation of the physical world.
  • It can highlights the role of language as a crucial tool in the construction of social reality.
  • It can posits that understanding, significance, and meaning are developed through collaboration and coordination among individuals.
  • It can recognizes that social constructs are not universal truths but are contingent upon societal context and can vary across cultures.
  • It can explores how societal norms, values, beliefs, and institutions are created, maintained, and transformed.
  • It can acknowledges that individuals contribute to and are influenced by the collective social narratives and structures.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • The construction of Gender roles and norms in different societies.
  • The perception and value of Money as a medium of exchange.
  • The concept of Race and its implications in various cultural contexts.
  • The understanding and practice of Marriage in different cultures.
  • The formation of Nationality and Citizenship and their associated rights and duties.
  • The evolution of Social Class structures and their impact on societal hierarchy and mobility.
  • The development of Language as a means of communication and cultural expression.
  • The shaping of Religious beliefs and practices in diverse social settings.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Innate biological traits that are not subject to social influence.
  • Natural phenomena that exist independently of human perception or interaction.
• See: Social Reality, Theory of Knowledge, Sociology, Communication Theory, Rationalization (Psychology), Social Constructivism.

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References

2023

• (Wikipedia, 2023) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_constructionism Retrieved:2023-12-4.
  • Social constructionism is a term used in sociology, social ontology, and communication theory. The term can serve somewhat different functions in each field, however, the foundation of this theoretical framework suggests various facets of social reality—such as concepts, beliefs, norms, and values—are formed through continuous interactions and negotiations among society's members, rather than empirical observation of physical reality. The theory of social constructionism posits that much of what individuals perceive as 'reality' is actually the outcome of a dynamic process of construction influenced by social conventions and structures. Unlike phenomena that are innately determined or biologically predetermined, these social constructs are collectively formulated, sustained, and shaped by the social contexts in which they exist. These constructs significantly impact both the behavior and perceptions of individuals, often being internalized based on cultural narratives, whether or not these are empirically verifiable. In this two-way process of reality construction, individuals not only interpret and assimilate information through their social relations but also contribute to shaping existing societal narratives. Examples of social constructs range widely, encompassing the assigned value of money, conceptions of concept of self/self-identity, beauty standards, gender, language, race, ethnicity, social class, social hierarchy, nationality, religion, social norms, the modern calendar, marriage, education, the measurement of time, citizenship, stereotypes, femininity and masculinity, social institutions, and even the idea of 'social construct' itself. These constructs are not universal truths but are flexible entities that can vary dramatically across different cultures and societies. They arise from collaborative consensus and are shaped and maintained through collective human interactions, cultural practices, and shared beliefs. This articulates the view that people in society construct ideas or concepts that may not exist without the existence of people or language to validate those concepts, meaning without a society these constructs would cease to exist.

2015

• (Wikipedia, 2015) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/social_constructionism Retrieved:2015-10-2.
  • Social constructionism or the social construction of reality (also social concept) is a theory of knowledge in sociology and communication theory that examines the development of jointly constructed understandings of the world. It assumes that understanding, significance, and meaning are developed not separately within the individual, but in coordination with other human beings. The elements most important to the theory are (1) the assumption that human beings rationalize their experience by creating a model of the social world and how it functions and (2) that language is the most essential system through which humans construct reality.

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