Social Construction Of Reality Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Social Construction Of Reality?

The social construction of reality is a concept that suggests that the way people understand and interact with the world around them is largely shaped by their perceptions and experiences, rather than objective truth. This theory proposes that individuals create their own individual realities based on shared cultural values, norms, beliefs, and language. It also asserts that what we perceive as ‘reality’ can be continually challenged by new ideas, evidence or knowledge. At its core this idea reflects the notion that societies are dynamic entities which can change overtime in response to different contexts or events. For example, the influence of media upon our understanding of reality may lead us to form opinions about various topics such as gender roles or race relations opinions which may not reflect an accurate representation but instead serve to propagate certain stereotypes or biases. Similarly, class structures can shape how we view success or poverty; religion often shapes how we interpret morality; while education systems act as gateways for particular ways of knowing within society. In light of this it becomes apparent how powerful social constructions can be in shaping our lives and informing our decisions from personal choices to political policies. It follows then that if a person’s sense of reality is incorrect then any decision made based on this false understanding will likely be flawed too (i.e., perpetuating inequality). Therefore it’s important to challenge one’s own preconceptions frequently in order ensure they remain open-minded and aware when forming opinions about various issues something which has become increasingly important given the rise of populism globally in recent years where much debate has been focused around ‘alternative facts’ rather than actual truths/evidence presented objectively from reliable sources. Overall The Social Construction Of Reality highlights how much power any individual has over the creation of their own ‘truth’. By recognising this fact we come closer to accepting responsibility for our actions – whether consciously or unconsciously – so that collectively we might work towards creating a more equitable world for all citizens regardless of age, race, gender etc.