The Term “Social Construction of Reality”, Essay Example

The film explores the idea that the reality we experience is not solely determined by objective facts but is also shaped by the social and cultural context in which we live. The term “social construction of reality” describes this (HeroicImaginationTV, 2012). One example of a social construct is race. Race is a classification developed and maintained by societal attitudes and beliefs rather than a biological trait. This indicates that rather than being founded on an objective definition established by science, our notion of race results from our ingrained social norms and values. This highlights the necessity of questioning and challenging our preconceived views about race and other social constructions and has important implications for how we perceive and interact with people of different races.

Moreover, the concept that reality is socially constructed puts the idea of absolute truth and objective facts to the test. It implies that our environment’s cultural and social factors impact how we perceive the world. Therefore, we must be aware of these impacts and carefully consider the ideas and presumptions that affect how we see the world. This can aid us in understanding the complexity of social and cultural dynamics and gaining new perspectives on the world. Furthermore, this knowledge can assist us in challenging and altering the attitudes and behaviors that uphold harmful and unfair social constructs, such as those based on race and gender.

The Thomas theorem suggests that our thoughts and beliefs can have real consequences. Our perceptions and interpretations of situations are not just passive observations but actively shape the reality we experience. For instance, if a group of people respond in ways that are consistent with their beliefs that a situation is dangerous, the situation will escalate at risk. This theorem serves as a reminder of the significance of being conscious of our attitudes and perceptions by highlighting the influence of our ideas and beliefs on the world around us. The Thomas theorem also draws attention to the notion that our reality is not solely based on objective facts but is also shaped by our personal beliefs, cultural values, and social context. (Merton, 1995) In this logic, our reality is socially constructed, and our thoughts and beliefs play a significant role in shaping it.