Social construction

A social construction, or social construct, according to the school of social constructionism, is an idea which may appear to be natural and obvious to those who accept it, but in reality is an invention or artifact of a particular culture or society. The implication is that social constructs are human choices rather than laws resulting from divine will or nature.

Related Topics:
Social constructionism - Artifact

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Some ideas which have been famously described as social constructs include race, class, gender, sexuality, morality and even reality. Less controversial and equally important social constructs are languages, games, money, shares, nations, governments, universities, corporations and any other institutions.

Related Topics:
Race - Class - Gender - Sexuality - Morality - Reality - Language - Game - Money - Share - Nation - Government - Universities - Corporation - Institution

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Connotations of "social construction" may include made-up, accidental, or arbitrary, though this is rarely what social constructionists who use the term have in mind. The term may be used to identify concepts which are taken for granted, and is frequently used in a disparaging manner, to the degree to which the user believes the concept is harmful or silly.

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