Abstract
This paper explores social constructionism and the scientific approach to answering questions related to reality and knowledge. The central thesis of the paper is that social constructionism is quite different than the standard scientific view of reality as is its perspective on how to gain information and knowledge about reality. Based on the reviewed literature and discussion, it was concluded that this thesis is supported.

From the Paper
"Audi reports that some of the most important and long debated philosophical questions are; "How do we come to know what we know? What is knowledge? What is truth? What is reality? The study of these questions and postulations of possible answers is known as epistemology. This paper examines the sociological theory of social constructionism and its approach to what knowledge and reality are and how to study these in comparison with the scientific view of what knowledge and reality are and how..."

Tags:social, constructionism

Abstract
This paper is based on the argument that social constructionism has no place in psychology. The paper delves into all aspects of the topic ending with a relevant conclusion.

Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of psychology. Specifically the paper discusses whether psychology is a science and, if so, what kind of science it is. The paper further discusses if psychology should be identified with social constructionism.

From the Paper
"Psychologist and philosopher Hjalmar Sunden is perhaps the "father" of modern social constructionist thought. A biographer of Sunden writes, "To him the human self, also in its religious aspects, is a social self. This truism, which seems to have been forgotten by large segments of 20th-century psychology [...] has come to be known as social constructionism" (Belzen, 1996, p. 182). While Sunden's studies and theories revolved around religion, he used psychology to explain and underline his theories, which evolved essentially into the "role-taking theory." In developing this theory, he developed the seed of social constructionism, "that every perception is determined by the results of social learning. In order to be able to see something through a microscope, you must have learned a great deal, you must be acquainted with theory and know what to look for" (Belzen, 1996, p. 184). This philosophy was radical at first, but as more studied the field, more psychologists and other social scientists began to agree and espouse Sunden's theories. "

Tags:psychological, profile, understanding, growth, Hjalmar, Sunden, culture

Abstract
This paper discusses how interactions with people, places and situations all leave their imprint on a person's way of being. The paper discusses whether a client's behavior is the result of the events occurred within his society, community and family or, if he is the intersection of the macro, mezzo and micro environments. It also discusses where personal characteristics intervene and impact of the resiliency and strengths of the individual. The paper focuses on the DePaul Family Services and analyzes their clients from three theoretical standpoints: the social constructionism theory, the labeling theory and the social exchange theory.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Agency Description
Agency Client
Theory Application
Social Constructionism Theory
Labeling Theory
Social Exchange Theory
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Resiliency, in the general meaning of finding the strength to pick up the pieces and carry on, is vital for the success of the DePaul clients. The area in which the social organization activates is extremely tough and challenging and it often offers more disappointments than actual successes. The social workers in the organization are constantly faced with refusal and a generally negative outcome. But they know not to give up, for the beneficial result of these humanitarian actions resides in persistency. It is impossible to teach and integrate a child with mental disabilities from the first day of program implementation. But with persistence, the results will show in time. Character strength and resiliency is also a must for the client and his family. Parents and other close family members generally find it hard to accept that their child is mentally challenged and when they do seem to find a solution in the DePaul services, they soon come to expect a miracle. And when this miracle does not happen, they often feel frustrated and tend to take it out on the representatives of DePaul and its social workers. But the employees at the organization and the family members only represent the close environment of the client's and their being resilient is required in order to support the client. He is the one that must truly be resilient and strong to make sure the treatments take effect. This is one more proof that the microenvironment directly impacts the behaviour of the client."

Tags:social constructionism, labeling, social exchange

Abstract
This paper uses Simone Beauvoir's pioneering claim 'one is not born a woman, but, rather becomes one? as a beginning point in critically examining different theories which propose how one becomes a woman, not necessarily due to her biology. It addresses psychoanalysis, social constructionism and poststructuralism and takes Freud and Chodorow as exemplars of psychoanalysis, Oakley as an exemplar of the social constructionism perspective and Butler as an exemplar of the poststructuralist position. It aims to critically engage with the theories of these writers and attempts to establish the implications that each one carries towards our understanding of gender inequalities.

From the Paper
"Beauvior's pioneering work became central to all subsequent theories on gender. A number of writers developed theories, which were based on the same tenants as Beauvior's ideas. The theories in question can be divided into the three broad frameworks of psychoanalysis, social constructionism and poststructuralism. Examining the work of every writer associated with these positions goes well beyond the scope of this work. Hence this work shall be selective by taking Freud and Chodorow as exemplars of psychoanalysis, Oakley as an exemplar of social constructionism and taking Butler as an exemplar of the poststructuralist position. This work shall aim to critically engage with the theories of these writers and attempt to establish the implications that each one carries towards our understanding of gender inequalities."

Tags:feminism, freud, oakely, simone, beauvior, chodorow

Abstract
The paper looks at two of the main forms of mainstream feminism; essentialism and constructionalism. The paper discusses their roots and how they developed from the earlier works of the 1960s and 1970s. The paper also discusses how feminists approached Freud's theories of psychoanalysis.

From the Paper
"Feminism as a critical approach has developed over time from its early beginnings as a liberation movement with the Suffragettes to the modern criticism of literature and society, which we see today. It seems that now more than ever though that "feminist criticism has lost the celebratory solidarity of its early days" (Rivkin/Ryan pg527). A more recent question posed by the mass of literature which has built up in the last forty years or so is "why is there not a feminist criticism" (Rivkin/Ryan pg527) - i.e. there is far more than a singular agenda or approach to such criticism. Considering the previous amount of "silenced voices" (i.e. those lacking in a voice or disallowed to speak) we now have many voices, but we no longer have a completely cohesive argument."

Tags:essentialism, constructionalism, Freud, psychoanalysis

Abstract
This paper explores the social perceptions that have been built into society as cultural and social patterns that discriminate both against the African-American race and the female gender. The paper shows how women of color became a target of negative social construction that has been transformed into institutional policy which is discriminatory. The paper also reveals that women of color are targeted for prosecution for drug abuse, which shows how the justice system discriminates against women of color. In addition, the paper illustrates how in society today, there is too much emphasis placed on social positioning and hierarchy.

From the Paper
"Research reveals that social construction perpetuates myths based on racial and gender stereotyping. It overemphasizes the difference between races, when science has show that differences among races are much more subtle than the differences between members of the same race, and more subtle than the differences between species in other classes of natural science. We are all members of the same species, and that makes us much more alike than different. However, overemphasis on specific physical disparities such as race and gender have resulted in social discrimination, and in disproportionate and unjust assumptions of biological origins for the difference between races that would give rise to perceived "racial characteristics" thereof. In effect, there are no such things as racial or gender characteristics, besides the physical differences, and human genetics are not different but shared between all human beings."

Tags:discrimination, gender, subordination, assumptions, perceptions

Abstract
This paper examines how Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights is a remarkable work of fiction in its painful exploration of familial damage. It looks at how in its unremitting darkness and in its insistence on the pain love brings, it is both a psychological treatise on the destruction of the soul and a story wrought by a novelist who writes with an assured, confident hand. It discusses the underlying themes of the novel as well as some of the narrative devices that Bront? employs. There are several of some significance. It also shows how Bront? employs a direct, first person narrative to great effect.

From the Paper
"Word must also be made regarding the happy ending of Wuthering Heights. In short, it feels contrived, though it highly satisfying. Through the unremitting gloom of the tale, day suddenly breaks! Hareton (for whom we have been cheering through much of the story) and Catherine are suddenly together; Heathcliff has at last, it seems, found Catherine's ghost, and is soon united with her. Mrs. Dean sits, "sewing and singing a song," (223) and all, it seems, is well. Even Joseph, whose presence throughout the narrative seems indicative of a certain dislike to overly-orthodox thought, seems as happy as he can be, with the rightful master restored to the house."

Tags:catherine, heathcliff, mrs, dean, ghost

Abstract
This paper examines the theory of social constructionism inherent within the women's rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s. The paper first discusses the first wave of feminism from the early 1800's to the 1920s. The paper then examines the causes and factors that led to and shaped the women's rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s.

From the Paper
"Throughout the short history of the United States there have been many class conflicts that derived from a rebellion against the social constructs of our society. Sociology teaches us to look not at the individuals within these conflicts, but within the society itself, and how its constructs, mores, traditions and rules have spurred men and women into rebellion against them. A true example of the theories of social constructionism and conflict theory colliding into a rebellion against the norm of our society, is the situation of the second wave feminist movement during the 1960's and 1970's in the United States."

Tags:women's rights movement, civil rights, feminism rebellion, women's suffrage, social constructionism

Abstract
In this article the writer examines the influence the mass media exerts on the individual's perception of the world. This is done from the standpoint of social constructionism, a theory heavily influenced by Postmodernist thought. The paper posits that language is our basis for interpreting the world and because language is the product of a social process, the 'reality' we perceive is nothing more than a collective construct. Consequently, the writer maintains that whoever controls the transmission of language and the ideas and information it conveys shapes reality. Today much of this transmission is done by the mass media. The writer concludes that today the role of the mass media and the educational system in socialization is growing as the traditional family structure so instrumental in this process for thousands of years wanes.

From the Paper
"Whenever we read, listen or watch one of the mass media, in other words, we become part of somebody else's agenda, a means to some outside entity's ends. So, at a profound level, we should be continuingly asking ourselves: do we do so willingly or unwittingly? Yet it is a question many rarely pose and fewer answer. Are we too busy, too complascent, or too indifferent to? Or are we simply too trusting? The aura of autheticity surrounding what we read, hear and see in the mass media may very well be lulling us into an uncritical acceptance of the messages imparted."

Tags:social, constructionism, transmission, processes