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Social constructs are things that emerge with the shared experiences of a civilization or society. These include shared knowledge and systems that are the basis for communication, cooperation, productivity, peaceful coexistence and quality of life. Generally speaking, any shared knowledge or system that is not explainable by a hard science can be described as a social construct. It is a mistake to think that social constructs are illusionary or that they do not have value as they are the basis for human survival, happiness and economic production. This doesn't mean they can be challenged and changed. For example, postmodernists are generally hostile to social constructs as they see reality as individual and subjective as opposed to a shared experience constrained by tradition. The following are illustrative examples of social constructs.
SocietyA society is a system that allows people in a region to get along in productive and peaceful cooperation. LawThe laws and regulations of nations, cities and international agreements.EconomicsEconomics such as economic systems, regulations, markets, business models and production methods.LanguagesNatural languages such as Mandarin, Spanish, English and French.
ConceptsConcepts are mostly tied to language but can also exist as visuals. For example, the concept of civility is a social construct.CultureThe traditional culture of a nation or people and other types of culture such as subculture, super culture and organizational culture.Literature & MusicProducts of individual imagination are typically based on existing culture such that they are partially socially constructed. For example, grammar or musical notes are social constructs that are used by individuals to create works of cultural value.
EntertainmentEntertainment is built on top of language and culture such that it is largely socially constructed.ArtArt is a type of culture that is based on both individual creativity and shared understandings and methods.ArchitectureArchitecture is partially socially constructed but is also heavily based on hard sciences such as physics and geology and applied sciences such as civil engineering.
TraditionsTraditions such as a festival or custom.FashionFashion norms, methods and traditions.CommunicationCommunication such as the visual symbols of a nation.TechnologyTechnology is the application of science to produce tools and systems that serve human needs. It is mostly shaped by hard sciences and applied sciences. However, it can also be partially socially constructed. For example, a video game with characters who wear socially constructed fashion that executes on a computer that is a product of engineering.
RolesSocial and economic roles such as a grandfather or police officer. NormsNorms such as shaking hands as a greeting.EmotionsEmotions are a biological thing that would exist without society. However, they may be colored by social constructs such as the concept of bravery or kindness.Human BehaviorHuman behavior is driven by complex factors of biology, individual experience, culture, tradition and systems such as society. As such, human behavior is partially socially constructed unless an individual lives in a state of anomie.NotesSocial constructs are mostly intangible. However, it is a mistake to think that social constructs aren't real or that they don't have value. For example, the French language is socially constructed and it has great value to humanity. As social constructs emerge within a society over many years with a process of communication and political competition they are generally slow to change.Intangible social constructs such as an economic system can have physical manifestations such as factories, infrastructure, machines and pollution.Social constructionists are criticized for a tendency towards promoting pseudoscience by suggesting that physics, biology and other hard sciences are socially constructed. It should be made clear that the generally accepted laws and theories of hard sciences are not socially constructed but are observations of the physical universe. For example, it is nonsense to suggest that time, space or the organs of the human body are socially constructed.Postmodernists commonly embrace a concept known as relativism whereby individuals define their own reality and are then justified to make the rest of society follow this reality which they are free to change at any time. It is unclear exactly how this is supposed to work as all societies up to this point have depended on shared social constructs to get along and to be productive.|
| Type | | | Definition | Things that emerge with the shared experiences of a civilization or society. | | Related Concepts | |
Society
This is the complete list of articles we have written about society.
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The definition of society with examples.
The definition and common characteristics of postmodernism.
The definition of individualism with examples.
A simple timeline of historical periods.
The definition of political climate with examples.
The definition of hegemony with examples.
The defining characteristics of the modern era.
The definition of labeling with examples.
A list of the common types of dance.
The definition of norms with examples.
The difference between shy and reserved behavior explained.
The definition of broken window theory with examples.
The definition of mores with examples.
The definition of humility with examples and counter examples.
A list of examples of culture.
The definition of duty with examples.
The definition of cultural diffusion with interesting examples.
The definition of tolerance with examples.
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