Teori Konstruksi Realitas Sosial: Peter L. Berger

Summary

This script delves into the social construction of reality through Peter L. Berger's theory, explaining how social facts are created and accepted or rejected by different societies. It outlines three stages of this process: externalization, objectivation, and internalization. The speaker uses examples like the varying acceptance of LGBT rights to illustrate how societies construct and interpret social realities differently. The discussion encourages questioning societal norms and understanding the constructed nature of social phenomena.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The concept of social reality is shaped through a process of externalization, objectivation, and internalization.
• 🏛 Social institutions like marriage and schools are examples of social realities that are constructed and accepted differently across various societies.
• 🏫 The theory of social construction of reality, proposed by Peter L. Berger, suggests that social facts are created by society and can be accepted or rejected based on societal norms.
• 👨‍🏫 Peter L. Berger, an Austrian sociologist, introduced the idea that individuals construct meanings of social realities based on their subjective understanding and collective agreements within society.
• 🤔 The process of externalization involves individuals attributing meaning to social phenomena, which then becomes an objective reality outside of the individual.
• 🔄 Objectivation is the stage where the constructed social reality takes on a life of its own, independent of the individuals who created it, and begins to influence society.
• 🧠 Internalization is the process by which individuals learn and adopt the meanings of social realities that have been objectified by society.
• 🌟 Berger's theory highlights that social realities are not static but are continuously constructed and reconstructed through social interactions.
• 🌈 The acceptance or rejection of a social reality in one society versus another can be understood through the lens of how that reality is constructed and perceived within each society.
• 📚 For a deeper understanding of social construction theory, one can refer to Berger's book 'The Social Construction of Reality' or explore other sociological works that discuss this concept.

Q & A

What is the social construction of reality according to the script?

The social construction of reality refers to the process through which society creates and accepts certain realities. This is achieved through three stages: externalization, objectivation, and internalization. These stages explain how individual perceptions are shaped into collective societal norms.

What are the three stages of social reality construction?

The three stages of social reality construction are: 1) Externalization: when individuals express their understanding of reality, 2) Objectivation: when this understanding becomes a shared social reality outside the individual, and 3) Internalization: when individuals adopt and learn the established social reality through processes like socialization.

Who introduced the theory of social construction of reality?

The theory of social construction of reality was introduced by American sociologist Peter L. Berger, who is well-known in both the United States and Indonesia for his contributions to sociology.

How does the concept of social construction explain why some social realities are accepted in one society but rejected in another?

The concept of social construction explains that different societies construct realities based on their cultural, historical, and social contexts. For example, LGBTQ+ rights may be accepted in one society but rejected in another due to varying social constructions of what is considered acceptable or moral.

What role does habituation play in social construction?

Habituation refers to the repeated behaviors or norms individuals follow in their society. Over time, these behaviors become normalized and accepted as part of social reality. This is a key aspect of externalization, where individuals contribute to the creation of social reality based on their habitual actions.

What is meant by 'subjective meaning' in the context of social construction?

Subjective meaning refers to the individual's personal interpretation of reality, which is influenced by their experiences and knowledge. Different individuals may assign different meanings to the same object or event based on their cultural and social background.

How does 'objective reality' differ from 'subjective meaning' in the theory of social construction?

Objective reality is the shared, external reality that exists independently of individuals, formed through collective understanding. It contrasts with subjective meaning, which is the individual interpretation of reality. While individuals may see things differently, objective reality exists outside personal interpretations.

Can you give an example of how the same object can have different subjective meanings across cultures?

An example from the script is a whiteboard. While an English speaker might call it a 'whiteboard,' an Arabic speaker would call it 'saburoh.' Although the object is the same, the names and meanings assigned to it differ based on each culture's subjective understanding.

What is the relationship between individual and collective meaning in social construction?

Individual meaning is subjective and personal, but when individuals come together and agree upon a shared meaning, it becomes collective. This collective meaning forms part of the social reality and shapes societal norms and behaviors.

How does social construction theory help explain the differences in societal responses to events like COVID-19?

Social construction theory explains that each society constructs its own understanding of events like COVID-19 based on cultural, historical, and social factors. Some societies may view it as a severe threat requiring strict measures, while others may interpret it differently, leading to varied responses to the pandemic.