What does 'The Social Construction of Reality' Mean? - by Dr. Dennis Hiebert

Summary

The social construction of reality, a key sociological concept, suggests that our understanding of the world is shaped through human interactions and cultural contexts rather than being purely objective or natural. It involves three phases: externalization, where individuals create their social worlds; objectivation, where these creations become perceived as objective realities; and internalization, where individuals accept these societal constructs as part of their identity. This process highlights the significance of culture, language, and religion in legitimizing social norms. Ultimately, while humans shape much of their reality, some aspects remain rooted in physical nature, raising questions about the nature of existence and belief.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The social construction of reality is a fundamental concept in sociology, highlighting how individuals create shared realities through interactions.
• 🔍 Our understanding of reality is largely shaped by social interactions, with 95% of knowledge being accepted from others rather than direct experience.
• ⚙️ The social world is not fixed or natural; it can be deconstructed and reconstructed based on human actions and beliefs.
• 🌱 Externalization is the process by which individuals create their social worlds by bringing internal thoughts into the social realm.
• 🔗 Cultural elements can be divided into material culture (tangible objects) and non-material culture (beliefs, values, norms), both of which are shaped by human actions.
• 💡 Institutionalization occurs when meaningful behaviors become routine, contributing to the objectification of social realities.
• 🛠️ Reification refers to the perception of human-created social constructs as natural or inevitable facts, obscuring their human origins.
• 📚 Language plays a crucial role in embedding meaning within social contexts, becoming an objective entity beyond individual control.
• 🧠 Internalization involves individuals adopting the legitimations of the social order, allowing culture to shape personal identity.
• 🤔 The question of whether God is a mind-independent fact or a socially constructed belief reflects the complex interplay between divine reality and human perception.

Q & A

What is the social construction of reality?

The social construction of reality refers to the process by which individuals create a shared understanding of reality through their actions and interactions, resulting in a reality that is perceived as both objectively factual and subjectively meaningful.

Why can the concept of social construction be unsettling for Christians?

The concept can be unsettling for Christians because it challenges the notion of an objective reality established by divine revelation, suggesting that much of what people consider real is socially constructed and potentially changeable.

What are the three phases of the social construction process?

The three phases are: Externalization, where individuals express their thoughts into the social world; Objectivation, where these expressions become perceived as objective reality; and Internalization, where individuals accept and incorporate these social constructs into their personal belief systems.

How is culture divided in the context of social construction?

Culture is divided into material culture, which includes physical tools and technology, and non-material culture, which encompasses beliefs, values, and norms.

What role does reification play in understanding social constructs?

Reification is the process by which human-created constructs are viewed as natural or divinely ordained truths, leading individuals to forget their human origin and thereby creating a disconnect between creators and their creations.

What are the types of realities discussed in the transcript?

The types of realities include: Natural realities, which are independent of human perception; Personal realities, which are subjective beliefs held by individuals; and Social realities, which are shared beliefs that have been institutionalized through social processes.

How do language and religion contribute to the objectivation of social reality?

Language embeds meaning in a social context, making it an objective entity outside individual control. Religion legitimates social constructs by presenting them as eternal truths beyond human influence, thereby reinforcing their acceptance as objective reality.

What does the term 'historicization' refer to in the context of social construction?

Historicity refers to how meanings and institutions evolve over time, becoming more established and 'thickened' as they are passed down through generations, leading to a more entrenched social reality.

What is meant by the term 'normative facts' in the transcript?

Normative facts are abstract constructs such as beliefs about freedom and fulfillment that lack physicality but hold significant meaning and order in social contexts.

How does the speaker distinguish between God's world and God's word?

God's world is seen as general revelation, an objective reality given directly to humans through nature, whereas God's word is viewed as special revelation, mediated through humans and thus subject to social construction.