Social constructionism is a philosophical position that holds that the social world is not naturally given but a product of human activity and thinking. This means that the social world is not simply the result of objective reality but is shaped by our perceptions, beliefs, and assumptions.
Social constructionism can be broadly divided into two main branches: symbolic constructionism and critical constructivism.
Symbolic constructionism holds that the use of symbols creates the social world. This is because these symbols represent ideas, beliefs, and values and can be used to create meaning in the social world.
For example, the color blue might represent the idea of water, and the symbol “♥” might represent the idea of love. By using these symbols, people can create meanings in the social world.
Critical constructivism takes a more radical approach to social constructionism. It holds that the social world is not simply a product of human activity and thinking but is also shaped by the resistance and opposition we encounter.
For example, the idea of gender is a social construction shaped by how people resist and oppose the idea of gender. This means that the idea of gender is not simply a product of our thoughts and perceptions but is also shaped by how other people think and perceive us.
