2 Perspectives: social constructionism
In this section you will use the CHIP resource to explore the social constructionist perspective.
Activity 2
a.
True
b.
False
The correct answer is a.
Answer
The social worlds that we live in are understood by social constructionists as ‘interpretive networks’. These networks are continually being constructed and reconstructed by individuals, groups and institutions.
a.
True
b.
False
The correct answer is b.
Answer
Social constructionism suggests that people make active choices rather than behaving in a way that is determined by social context.
a.
True
b.
False
The correct answer is a.
Answer
All knowledge is seen as an expression of the social and historical context in which it is produced.
a.
True
b.
False
The correct answer is b.
Answer
Social constructionists do not deny the existence of physiological differences. However, rather than trying to find out a fixed truth about physiology, they instead pay attention to how these differences are made sense of in different societies.
a.
True
b.
False
The correct answer is b.
Answer
Identity is seen as historically and culturally specific, dynamic, and constantly being ‘renegotiated’ through social interaction.
- What other perspectives have links to social constructionism?
Answer
Perspectives that have links to social constructionism include social representations, phenomenological, queer history/theory, and feminist perspectives.
- Read the descriptions of the perspectives linked to social constructionism, then summarise each description in no more than 50 words.