Social constructionism | Society and Culture | MCAT | Khan Academy

Summary

This video script delves into the concept of social constructionism, a theory suggesting that much of what we consider real is actually shaped by collective human agreement. It explores how constructs like nations, books, and money only hold value within the context of society, illustrating the difference between brute facts, which exist independently of human beliefs, and institutional facts, which are born from social conventions. The script contrasts weak and strong social constructionism, with the former acknowledging some inherent realities, while the latter claims all of reality is constructed through language and social habits, challenging our perception of the world and the nature of knowledge itself.

Takeaways

• 🧐 People often question the reality of their experiences, pondering what makes something truly 'real'.
• 🤔 Social constructionism suggests that much of what we consider real is actually constructed through social consensus.
• 💬 Constructs like nations, books, and money are cited as examples of things that do not inherently exist without human society's agreement.
• 👥 The concept of 'self' and individual identity is also viewed as a social construct, shaped by societal interactions and expectations.
• 🤞 Weak social constructionism acknowledges the existence of 'brute facts' - fundamental realities independent of human interpretation.
• 🚨 Brute facts are contrasted with 'institutional facts', which are created and maintained through social conventions.
• 💯 Strong social constructionism argues that all of reality and knowledge are social constructs, dismissing the notion of brute facts entirely.
• 📚 Critics of social constructionism point out its failure to adequately account for natural phenomena and their impact on society.
• 🚧 Strong social constructionism faces challenges in explaining phenomena that do not depend on human belief or social practices.
• 🔮 The debate between weak and strong social constructionism highlights the complexity of understanding reality and knowledge as purely social constructs.

Q & A

What is the fundamental question that social constructionism attempts to answer?

Social constructionism attempts to answer what makes something real, challenging the notion that knowledge and many aspects of the world only exist because we as a society agree upon their reality.