“Through the sands of time, humanity evolves, and with each passing moment, society reshapes its own reflection.”

Definition

Social Constructionism is a theoretical framework that posits that many aspects of our social reality, including knowledge, are not inherently objective but are instead constructed by human beings through their interactions and interpretations of the world. 

The roots of Social Constructionism can be traced back to the works of early sociologists and philosophers. Emile Durkheim, a founding figure in sociology, introduced the idea that social facts, like norms and values, exist outside of the individual and exert influence over them. Later, in the mid-20th century, philosophers like Thomas Kuhn and Ludwig Wittgenstein further developed these ideas. Kulhn, in his work “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions,” argued that scientific paradigms are not purely objective but are influenced by societal factors and prevailing beliefs.

Past vs. Modern

Over the decades, the meaning of Social Constructionism has evolved. In the early days, it was primarily a critique of the positivist approach in sociology. However, as the theory matured, it began to encompass a broader range of ideas. For instance, in the 1970s and 1980s, the focus shifted to understanding how language plays a crucial role in constructing our reality. And to discuss social constructionism and how it has evolved, two major leaders have to be addressed. 

      Peter Berger & Thomas Luckmann      

They are seminal figures in the realm of sociology, particularly known for their groundbreaking work on the sociology of knowledge. Their collaborative work, “The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge,” published in 1966, has become a foundational text in understanding how societal structures and individual interactions shape our perceptions of reality.

Their ideas have been instrumental in the development of the theory of social constructionism. Here are some key concepts they introduced:

1. Externalization: This refers to the process by which humans project their ideas, values, and beliefs onto the world, creating societal structures and norms.
2. Objectivation: Once these structures and norms are established, they appear to be independent of individual actors and are perceived as objective realities.
3. Internalization: Individuals then internalize these societal structures, accepting them as ‘real’ and allowing them to shape their thoughts, behaviors, and identities.

Modern

In recent years, the concept has been applied to various fields, from gender studies to health sciences. It is used to challenge traditional notions of gender as biologically determined, suggesting instead that gender roles and identities are socially constructed. 

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Gender Studies

• Gender Roles and Expectations: Societies often have predefined notions of what it means to be masculine or feminine. These roles are not inherently natural but are constructed through cultural, historical, and social interactions. For instance, the idea that blue is for boys and pink is for girls is a societal construct, not a biological fact.

• Transgender and Non-Binary Identities: Social Constructionism provides a framework to understand and validate non-binary and transgender identities. It emphasizes that gender is not strictly tied to one’s biological sex but is a result of societal interpretations and individual experiences.

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Health Study

Social Constructionism offers insights into how societies define and understand health.

• Definition of Health: What one society considers healthy might differ from another. For instance, body weight and its association with health can vary across cultures. In some societies, a fuller figure might be seen as a sign of prosperity and health, while in others, it might be associated with health risks.
• Mental Health: Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are understood differently across cultures and time periods. Social Constructionism helps unpack how societal norms and values shape the understanding and stigma associated with mental health.

Illness

Illness, like health, is not just a biological phenomenon but is deeply embedded in societal contexts. Social Constructionism sheds light on how illnesses are perceived, labeled, and treated in societies.

• Medicalization: Certain conditions, like menopause or childbirth, which were once seen as natural processes, have been medicalized over time. Social Constructionism critiques this trend, questioning whether medical intervention is always necessary or if it’s a result of societal pressures and the medical industry’s influence.
• Stigma and Illness: Societal constructs often label certain illnesses as ‘taboo’ or ‘shameful.’ For instance, HIV/AIDS faced significant stigma due to its association with certain behaviors. Social Constructionism helps us understand how these stigmas are formed and how they can be challenged.
• Cultural Interpretations: Different cultures might have varied interpretations of the same illness. For instance, what Western medicine might label as schizophrenia might be understood as a possession or a spiritual experience in another culture.

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Social Constructionism & Media

A complex interplay

Media, in its various forms, plays a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of the world. Through news, entertainment, and advertising, media constructs narratives that influence our perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors. Social Constructionism offers a lens through which we can understand this intricate relationship between media and societal constructions.

Portrayal in Media

Media often reflects societal norms and values, but it also plays a role in constructing them. For instance, the portrayal of gender roles in movies and TV shows has historically been stereotypical, reinforcing traditional notions of masculinity and femininity. However, as societal views on gender have evolved, so has media representation, with more diverse and nuanced portrayals emerging.

Similarly, issues like mental health, which were once stigmatized and misrepresented in media, are now being presented in a more informed and empathetic manner. This shift is not just a reflection of changing societal views but also plays a part in constructing them.

Public Perception

The public’s perception of Social Constructionism, as portrayed in media, is multifaceted. While some view it as a progressive and inclusive framework that challenges traditional norms, others see it as a threat to established values. Media often amplifies these polarized views, leading to debates and discussions on various platforms.

Examples

Citations

Jafari Amineh, Roya, and Hanieh Davatgari Asl. “Review of Constructivism and Social Constructivism.”

Hjelm, T. (Ed.) (2020). The SAGE encyclopedia of the sociology of religion. (Vols. 1-2). SAGE Publications, Inc., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529714401

Frank W. Geels, Micro-foundations of the multi-level perspective on socio-technical transitions: Developing a multi-dimensional model of agency through crossovers between social constructivism, evolutionary economics and neo-institutional theory, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Volume 152,2020,119894, ISSN 0040-1625,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119894.

Barak, M. Science Teacher Education in the Twenty-First Century: a Pedagogical Framework for Technology-Integrated Social Constructivism. Res Sci Educ 47, 283–303 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-015-9501-y

Colin Hay (2016) Good in a crisis: the ontological institutionalism of social constructivism, New Political Economy, 21:6, 520-535, DOI: 10.1080/13563467.2016.1158800

Alismaiel, Omar A., Javier Cifuentes-Faura, and Waleed Mugahed Al-Rahmi. 2022. “Online Learning, Mobile Learning, and Social Media Technologies: An Empirical Study on Constructivism Theory during the COVID-19 Pandemic” Sustainability 14, no. 18: 11134. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811134

Toffoletti, K., and H. Thorpe. “Female athletes’ self-representation on social media: A feminist analysis of neoliberal marketing strategies in ‘economies of visibility’.” Link

“Lack of media coverage compounds violence in Libya.” IFEX, Link