Sociology Plus
Social Construction of Reality Definition
The concept of the social construction of reality was famously articulated by Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann in 1967 and encapsulates fundamental principles central to sociological thought. It posits that much of what is perceived as objective reality is, in fact, shaped and created through social interaction, language, and shared understanding rather than existing independently of human consciousness. This perspective challenges purely objective accounts of the world by emphasising the role of human agency in defining experience and structure.
Meanings of Social Construction
The concept holds several interconnected interpretations:
- Cultural Formation: One interpretation suggests that culture is a social construct, meaning that human reality is devised through social processes rather than being dictated by divine will or natural law. This view implies that phenomena are not inherently ‘real’ but are instead products of collective human activity.
- Socialisation and Selfhood: Another meaning focuses on the influence of social environments. Much of what individuals consider their own identity and experiences is acquired through the process of being socialised into specific languages and cultural norms, demonstrating how external influences shape personal perception.
- Relativity of Reality: The most radical interpretation challenges the existence of an ‘obdurate’ reality independent of human perception. This view argues that either no objective reality exists outside of our interpretation, or that even if it does, it is irrelevant for sociological purposes because we are the primary constructors of what constitutes reality.
Relationship with Biological Necessity and Realism
Sociology navigates the tension between social construction and biological necessity. While acknowledging that biological factors influence some aspects of human behaviour (such as basic survival needs), sociology generally regards most social regularities as resulting from deliberate or inadvertent human actions. This leads to a pragmatic approach where understanding human behaviour requires considering both social influences and underlying physical realities.
Sociological Application
The principle of social construction is applied in sociological analysis, often guiding how we explain events. For instance, the ‘definition of the situation’ dictum suggests that explanations for actions (like an invasion) depend on the beliefs held by the actors at that time. However, sociologists must balance this view with realism: while social construction explains why people act, understanding the consequences of those actions requires acknowledging what the world is actually like. Some scholars extend this approach to methodological relativism, applying it to scientific activity and expressing scepticism towards claims about objective reality.