W10 - Social Constructionism Flashcards
What is social constructionism, according to Gergen (1985)?
A framework examining how people describe, explain, and account for the world through historical and cultural contexts.
How does Gergen (2009) use metaphors to explain social constructionism?
As lenses or frames shaping our perceptions of reality.
What is the central focus of epistemological arguments in social constructionism?
The nature and production of knowledge, questioning how we know what we know.
Who are the foundational thinkers of social constructionism, and what did they propose?
Berger and Luckmann, proposing that reality is socially constructed through shared understandings.
What historical movement influenced the emergence of modernism?
The Enlightenment, which emphasized scientific truth and objectivity.
How does postmodernism critique modernism, according to Gergen (2009)?
By challenging objectivity and highlighting the communal construction of scientific knowledge.
What does Braun & Clarke (2013) argue about the construction of knowledge?
It is influenced by power dynamics and sustained through societal structures.
What is the ontological perspective in social constructionism?
It examines the nature of reality without assuming it is fixed or singular.
What is the critique of universal truths in social constructionism?
It rejects the idea of singular, absolute knowledge, emphasizing context and variability.
According to Burr (2003), what is the tenet of skepticism in social constructionism?
Questioning taken-for-granted knowledge and assumptions about reality.
What does Martin (2003) mean by knowledge being historically and culturally situated?
Knowledge varies across time and societies, shaped by cultural and historical norms.
How is language central to social constructionism, as per Gergen (2003)?
Language constructs and negotiates shared meanings in social interactions.
What is the role of knowledge in social contexts, according to Gergen (2009)?
Knowledge is active and shapes decisions, norms, and actions.
How does Joshua Bell’s case study illustrate social constructionism?
It shows how context shapes the perception of talent and value.
What is ‘professional socialization,’ as defined by Ajjawi & Higgs (2008)?
The internalization of practices, values, and norms within a profession.
How does social constructionism analyze workplace dynamics like maternity leave?
By examining how language and norms affect perceptions of competence (Buzzanell et al., 2017).
What critiques are made against social constructionism’s moral relativism?
Critics argue it avoids asserting moral absolutes, leading to perceived meaninglessness (Gergen, 2009).
How does the ‘death of the subject’ critique challenge social constructionism?
It questions whether individual psychology is relevant if behavior is socially constructed (Willig, 2001).
What does ‘active knowledge’ mean in the workplace context?
Knowledge shapes workplace norms, decisions, and power dynamics dynamically.
What role do accents play in workplace identity, as per Thompson (1991)?
Accents act as markers of professional identity and influence perceptions of authority.
How does Rehel (2014) describe the impact of paternity leave on social norms?
It fosters equitable parenting and shifts perceptions of fatherhood roles.
What is ‘debunking’ in social constructionist thought, according to Lamont (2010)?
A strategy used in psychology to validate rational skepticism over paranormal beliefs.
How does Bourdieu (1991) link workplace accents to power dynamics?
Accents align with professional expectations, impacting authority and recognition.
What does Coles (1992) state about institutional practices?
They shape daily life and reinforce social norms through routine structures.
What is the critique in ‘Of Death and Furniture’ against social constructionism?
It challenges SC’s dismissal of material realities like death and physical objects (Edwards et al., 1995).
How does Braun & Clarke (2013) describe science as a social construct?
As a dominant framework dictating knowledge validity and parameters.
How is moral absolutism linked to death in ‘Of Death and Furniture’?
Death frames moral values and absolutes beyond cultural relativism.
How does Humberd, Ladge, & Harrington (2015) discuss evolving fatherhood narratives?
Workplace contexts shape and redefine traditional and modern roles of fathers.
What is the social constructionist perspective on inequality and activism?
It critiques tacit knowledge to challenge structures of inequality but avoids asserting universal truths.
How does Gergen (2009) address the self-defeating critique of social constructionism?
By framing SC as a metaphor and toolset, not an absolute truth.
