A social construct is a concept or perception of an object or aspect of reality that is not inherent to the object itself but created by society through cultural and social practice. Social constructs are understood to be the byproducts of countless human choices rather than laws resulting from divine will or nature. These constructs shape our perceptions of the world and influence our behavior, contributing to the formation and perpetuation of societies and cultures.
To understand social constructs, we first need to acknowledge that the human perception of reality is vastly influenced by social processes. Humans are social creatures, and our social interactions are fundamental to our experience of the world. The ideas we believe, the norms we follow, the languages we speak, the values we hold, and the roles we play in society are not just a result of individual idiosyncrasies, but rather a reflection of social agreements that have been established and negotiated over time. These social agreements govern everything from our understanding of gender and race to the way we organize time and define mental health.
One of the earliest and most profound analyses of social constructs comes from the work of sociologist Émile Durkheim. Durkheim speculated that society was more than a mere collection of individuals; rather, it constituted a separate entity that could shape and mold individual behavior through collective representations and social facts. According to Durkheim, social constructs were powerful forces that could influence individuals’ cognitions and actions.
The concept of a social construct has been expanded upon by various scholars across disciplines. Berger and Luckmann, in their seminal work “The Social Construction of Reality,” argued that society is a human product, and reality itself is socially constructed through the ongoing process of externalization, objectivation, and internalization. These processes involve the creation of social knowledge (externalization), the establishment of this knowledge as objective reality (objectivation), and the assimilation of it by individuals (internalization).
To illustrate with concrete examples, consider gender roles, race, and money. Each of these serves as a prime illustration of a social construct.
Gender roles are a set of societal norms dictating what behaviors are generally considered appropriate, acceptable, or desirable for people based on their actual or perceived sex or sexuality. These roles are a social construct because they are not predetermined by biology; rather, they are developed and reinforced through social interactions, media portrayals, educational systems, and legislative codes. Although there are biological differences between sexes, the roles ascribed to genders and the associated traits labeled as masculine or feminine are not universally constant but vary across time and cultures.
Similarly, the concept of race is a social construct with no basis in biological reality. Modern genetic understanding has demonstrated that all humans share a significant amount of genetic overlap and the divisions that society makes between different ‘races’ are arbitrary and culturally derived. Despite this, notions of race continue to have powerful social implications, influencing identity, social status, and access to resources.
Money is another example of a purely social construct. It represents value and facilitates exchange primarily because we collectively agree to confer on it a certain buying power. While physical currency does exist as metal coins or paper notes, the actual value of money is not inherent in these objects but derives from the social trust and agreement that they can be exchanged for goods and services.
These constructs are powerful because they often go unquestioned and are seen as natural or inevitable aspects of human life. They influence not only individual behavior and interpersonal relations but also institutional formations and systemic structures. The law, economy, education, and government are all built upon these social agreements. The statuses, roles, and hierarchies present in these institutions perpetuate the constructs, making them seem even more ‘real’ and difficult to challenge.
However, social constructs can—and often do—change over time. The fluid nature of social constructs can be seen in the shifts in societal norms regarding same-sex marriage, racial integration, and gender expression, among others. These changes come about through social movements, legislative changes, policy reforms, and shifts in collective attitudes.
The study of social constructs is paramount in the social sciences, particularly sociology, critical theory, and anthropology, as it provides insight into the mechanisms by which societies and cultures maintain and reproduce themselves. For example, the work of Michel Foucault on discourses, power, and knowledge elucidates how constructs can stem from, and perpetuate, power relations within society.
It is also important to note that, while social constructs are the products of human agreement and perception, they have real and tangible effects on individual lives, access to resources, and power dynamics. The tangible consequences of social constructs can have both positive and negative implications, ranging from a sense of community and shared cultural identity to discrimination and structural inequality.
In conclusion, social constructs are crucial components of the fabrics of our societies. They shape both the tangible and the intangible aspects of our world. Understanding that much of what we take for granted as ‘natural’ or ‘common sense’ is actually a social construct can help us question, critique, and, when necessary, dismantle structures that may perpetuate inequalities or hinder progress. By recognizing the power of social constructs, we can work towards a more reflective and equitable social existence.
Tags: social constructsocial constructionsocial constructionist
