{"id":113,"date":"2016-04-28T00:26:18","date_gmt":"2016-04-28T00:26:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontosociology-waymaker\/?post_type=chapter&p=113"},"modified":"2016-07-02T19:58:19","modified_gmt":"2016-07-02T19:58:19","slug":"reading-social-constructions-of-reality","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/sanjacinto-introsociology-1\/chapter\/reading-social-constructions-of-reality\/","title":{"raw":"Reading: Social Constructions of Reality","rendered":"Reading: Social Constructions of Reality"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]\"Two Who are we? What role do we play in society? According to sociologists, we construct reality through our interactions with others. In a way, our day-to-day interactions are like those of actors on a stage. (Photo courtesy of Jan Lewandowski\/flickr)[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Until now, we\u2019ve primarily discussed the differences between societies. Rather than discuss their problems and configurations, we\u2019ll now explore how society came to be and how sociologists view social interaction.<\/p>\r\n

In 1966 sociologists Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann wrote a book called The Social Construction of Reality<\/em>. In it, they argued that society is created by humans and human interaction, which they call habitualization<\/span><\/strong>. Habitualization describes how \u201cany action that is repeated frequently becomes cast into a pattern, which can then be \u2026 performed again in the future in the same manner and with the same economical effort\u201d (Berger and Luckmann 1966). Not only do we construct our own society but we also accept it as it is because others have created it before us. Society is, in fact, \u201chabit.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

For example, your school exists as a school and not just as a building because you and others agree that it is a school. If your school is older than you are, it was created by the agreement of others before you. In a sense, it exists by consensus, both prior and current. This is an example of the process of institutionalization<\/span>, the act of implanting a convention or norm into society. Bear in mind that the institution, while socially constructed, is still quite real.<\/p>\r\n

Another way of looking at this concept is through W.I. Thomas\u2019s notable Thomas theorem<\/span><\/strong> which states, \u201cIf men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences\u201d (Thomas and Thomas 1928). That is, people\u2019s behavior can be determined by their subjective construction of reality rather than by objective reality. For example, a teenager who is repeatedly given a label\u2014overachiever, player, bum\u2014might live up to the term even though it initially wasn\u2019t a part of his character.<\/p>\r\n

Like Berger and Luckmann in their description of habitualization, Thomas states that our moral codes and social norms are created by \u201csuccessive definitions of the situation.\u201d This concept is defined by sociologist Robert K. Merton as a self-fulfilling prophecy<\/span><\/strong>. Merton explains that with a self-fulfilling prophecy, even a false idea can become true if it is acted upon. One example he gives is of a \u201cbank run.\u201d Say for some reason, a number of people falsely fear that their bank is soon to be bankrupt. Because of this false notion, people run to their bank and demand all of their cash at once. As banks rarely, if ever, have that much money on hand, the bank does indeed run out of money, fulfilling the customers\u2019 prophecy. Here, reality is constructed by an idea.<\/p>\r\n

Symbolic interactionists offer another lens through which to analyze the social construction of reality. With a theoretical perspective focused on the symbols (like language, gestures, and artifacts) that people use to interact, this approach is interested in how people interpret those symbols in daily interactions. For example, we might feel fright at seeing a person holding a gun, unless, of course, it turns out to be a police officer. Interactionists also recognize that language and body language reflect our values. One has only to learn a foreign tongue to know that not every English word can be easily translated into another language. The same is true for gestures. While Americans might recognize a \u201cthumbs up\u201d as meaning \u201cgreat,\u201d in Germany it would mean \u201cone\u201d and in Japan it would mean \u201cfive.\u201d Thus, our construction of reality is influenced by our symbolic interactions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"386\"]\"Painting The story line of a self-fulfilling prophecy appears in many literary works, perhaps most famously in the story of Oedipus. Oedipus is told by an oracle that he will murder his father and marry his mother. In going out of his way to avoid his fate, Oedipus inadvertently fulfills it. Oedipus\u2019s story illustrates one way in which members of society contribute to the social construction of reality. (Photo courtesy of Jean-Antoine-Theodore Giroust\/Wikimedia Commons)[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/figure>
\r\n

<\/h2>\r\n<\/section>
<\/section>
<\/section>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Think It Over<\/h3>\r\nThink of a self-fulfilling prophecy that you\u2019ve experienced. Based on this experience, do you agree with the Thomas theorem? Use examples from current events to support your answer as well.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Practice<\/h3>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
1. According to Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann, society is based on ________.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. habitual actions<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. status<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. institutionalization<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. role performance<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n
    [reveal-answer q=\"830358\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"830358\"]a[\/hidden-answer]<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"631956\"]Show Glossary[\/reveal-answer]<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"631956\"]\r\n
    \r\n \t
    habitualization:<\/dt>\r\n \t
    the idea that society is constructed by us and those before us, and it is followed like a habit<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
    \r\n \t
    self-fulfilling prophecy:<\/dt>\r\n \t
    an idea that becomes true when acted upon<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
    \r\n \t
    Thomas theorem:<\/dt>\r\n \t
    how a subjective reality can drive events to develop in accordance with that reality, despite being originally unsupported by objective reality<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n
    <\/section>","rendered":"

    \n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
    \"Two<\/p>\n

    Who are we? What role do we play in society? According to sociologists, we construct reality through our interactions with others. In a way, our day-to-day interactions are like those of actors on a stage. (Photo courtesy of Jan Lewandowski\/flickr)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Until now, we\u2019ve primarily discussed the differences between societies. Rather than discuss their problems and configurations, we\u2019ll now explore how society came to be and how sociologists view social interaction.<\/p>\n

    In 1966 sociologists Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann wrote a book called The Social Construction of Reality<\/em>. In it, they argued that society is created by humans and human interaction, which they call habitualization<\/span><\/strong>. Habitualization describes how \u201cany action that is repeated frequently becomes cast into a pattern, which can then be \u2026 performed again in the future in the same manner and with the same economical effort\u201d (Berger and Luckmann 1966). Not only do we construct our own society but we also accept it as it is because others have created it before us. Society is, in fact, \u201chabit.\u201d<\/p>\n

    For example, your school exists as a school and not just as a building because you and others agree that it is a school. If your school is older than you are, it was created by the agreement of others before you. In a sense, it exists by consensus, both prior and current. This is an example of the process of institutionalization<\/span>, the act of implanting a convention or norm into society. Bear in mind that the institution, while socially constructed, is still quite real.<\/p>\n

    Another way of looking at this concept is through W.I. Thomas\u2019s notable Thomas theorem<\/span><\/strong> which states, \u201cIf men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences\u201d (Thomas and Thomas 1928). That is, people\u2019s behavior can be determined by their subjective construction of reality rather than by objective reality. For example, a teenager who is repeatedly given a label\u2014overachiever, player, bum\u2014might live up to the term even though it initially wasn\u2019t a part of his character.<\/p>\n

    Like Berger and Luckmann in their description of habitualization, Thomas states that our moral codes and social norms are created by \u201csuccessive definitions of the situation.\u201d This concept is defined by sociologist Robert K. Merton as a self-fulfilling prophecy<\/span><\/strong>. Merton explains that with a self-fulfilling prophecy, even a false idea can become true if it is acted upon. One example he gives is of a \u201cbank run.\u201d Say for some reason, a number of people falsely fear that their bank is soon to be bankrupt. Because of this false notion, people run to their bank and demand all of their cash at once. As banks rarely, if ever, have that much money on hand, the bank does indeed run out of money, fulfilling the customers\u2019 prophecy. Here, reality is constructed by an idea.<\/p>\n

    Symbolic interactionists offer another lens through which to analyze the social construction of reality. With a theoretical perspective focused on the symbols (like language, gestures, and artifacts) that people use to interact, this approach is interested in how people interpret those symbols in daily interactions. For example, we might feel fright at seeing a person holding a gun, unless, of course, it turns out to be a police officer. Interactionists also recognize that language and body language reflect our values. One has only to learn a foreign tongue to know that not every English word can be easily translated into another language. The same is true for gestures. While Americans might recognize a \u201cthumbs up\u201d as meaning \u201cgreat,\u201d in Germany it would mean \u201cone\u201d and in Japan it would mean \u201cfive.\u201d Thus, our construction of reality is influenced by our symbolic interactions.<\/p>\n


    \n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
    \"Painting<\/p>\n

    The story line of a self-fulfilling prophecy appears in many literary works, perhaps most famously in the story of Oedipus. Oedipus is told by an oracle that he will murder his father and marry his mother. In going out of his way to avoid his fate, Oedipus inadvertently fulfills it. Oedipus\u2019s story illustrates one way in which members of society contribute to the social construction of reality. (Photo courtesy of Jean-Antoine-Theodore Giroust\/Wikimedia Commons)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

    \n

    <\/h2>\n<\/section>\n
    <\/section>\n
    <\/section>\n
    \n
    \n

    Think It Over<\/h3>\n

    Think of a self-fulfilling prophecy that you\u2019ve experienced. Based on this experience, do you agree with the Thomas theorem? Use examples from current events to support your answer as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    \n

    Practice<\/h3>\n
    \n
    \n
    \n
    1. According to Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann, society is based on ________.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n
    \n
      \n
    1. habitual actions<\/li>\n
    2. status<\/li>\n
    3. institutionalization<\/li>\n
    4. role performance<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n
      \n
      \n
      Show Answer<\/span><\/p>\n
      a<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Show Glossary<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
      \n
      \n
      habitualization:<\/dt>\n
      the idea that society is constructed by us and those before us, and it is followed like a habit<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
      \n
      self-fulfilling prophecy:<\/dt>\n
      an idea that becomes true when acted upon<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
      \n
      Thomas theorem:<\/dt>\n
      how a subjective reality can drive events to develop in accordance with that reality, despite being originally unsupported by objective reality<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
      <\/section>\n\n\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t

      Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div>