An analysis of the application of the social constructionism theory, the labeling theory and the social exchange theory to the clients of the DePaul Family Services.
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 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 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."
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. "
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."
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."
An examination of solution focused brief therapy (SFBT), social constructionism and narrative therapy and how they apply to the writer's life and the Bible.
Abstract This paper discusses different post modern approaches to therapy. It analyzes solution focused brief therapy (SFBT), social constructionism and narrative therapy. It also discusses the theories behind the therapies. The paper then discusses the writer's attitude towards the different therapy approaches and how he could apply these approaches to his daily life.
From the Paper "Social constructionism, SFBT, and narrative therapy are making many contributions to the field of psychotherapy. I especially value the optimistic orientation of these postmodern approaches that rest on the assumptions that people are competent and can be trusted to use their resources in creating better solutions and more life-affirming stories. Many postmodern practitioners and writers have found that clients are able to make significant moves toward building more satisfying lives in a relatively short period of time."
Abstract This paper examines the theoretical assumptions underlying psychoanalysis and social psychology and how these approaches attempt to explain the concept of gender, particularly within the context of 'the family'. It provides both an overview of these approaches together with critiques of their respective strengths and weaknesses.
From the Paper "Feminist object relations theory postulates that early interpersonal interactions within the family lay the foundations for the development of the mind, and hence individual identity, which then becomes the basis for later relations with others. In contrast to Freudian psychoanalysis, which emphasises the importance of the father, advocates of this approach argue that it is mothers, as the primary caregivers, and with whom children spend most of their time, that are the formative influence for both boys? and girls? sense of gender identity. Chodorow (1978, 1989) suggests that although the sex of the child is biologically determined, the forms that masculinity and femininity take are social constructions, born out of the mother/infant dyad, which itself reflects the sexual division of labour within society."
Tags:constructionism, determinism, feminism, freud, identity, psychoanalysis, psychology, social, theory
Abstract This essay examines the emerging trend and, indeed, necessity to distinguish between the two terms "gender" and "sex". It examines the introduction and usage of both terms and the subsequent historical development, including the power benefits that the biological reductionism of "sex theory" encompasses. Through specific reference to sociological schools of thought, such as structural functionalism, feminist critique, role theory, social constructionism and post-structuralist theory, an argument for the need for distinction between "gender" and "sex" is established. With references to Foucault, Derrida, and Judith Butler, this essay examines the need for a biological ("sex") and social ("gender") specificity of sexuality, proposing a conceptually accurate path forward for the future.
From the Paper "The terms ?sex role,? ?sex role socialisation,? ?gender role,? and the term "role" itself, have become so confused and definitionally abstract that it is often inadequate or even incorrect to use such terms. Many individuals do however. The terms "sex" and "gender" are infinitely bandied about, consistently interchanged, and often stand proxy for one another, in every imaginable discourse and social institution. This is because "sex" and "gender" are the foundational concepts upon which society is built. Sex and gender is integral to every social structure, having far-reaching implications that shape individuals? opportunities for safety, employment, education, family, legal access, fecundity, knowledge production and much, much more. However, the challenge here is to understand such implications within a conceptually accurate framework. The development of sex/gender theorising has met this challenge, and the fact that some sociologists today reject the terms "sex roles" and "sex role socialisation" is a reflection of the changing and developing nature of the theoretical framework. It is only through an examination of the history of sex/gender theory however that it is possible to determine how and why these same sociologists have rejected the frameworks that they have."
Tags: biological, critique, feminist, functionalism, gender, post, reductionism, sex, structural, structuralist, theory
Argues that the images of perfection that are disseminated by society are generally stereotypical images that reinforce gender roles of dominance and submission.
Abstract The way in which society defines the structures and strictures of gender has developed in the last century into a field in which there is an abundance of textual dissertation concerning gender, identity, body image, and other issuances of definitional standards that often defy the status quo and change the way in which we think about what it is to be a man or woman. The paper shows that these essential qualities that define gender are harder to determine the more we explore the boundaries that have been set up, in many cases, as no more than cultural myths that represent the continuance of a socio-economic class system. One of these myths is the idea of the mythical body image, or the ideal physiological representation of a society in which gender lines are clearly defined in terms of male and female. This paper explores the idea of this image in terms of its contrivance, ramifications, social constructionism, and its support of gender stereotypes to provide an understanding of how our culture defines male and female images of perfection.
From the Paper "Myths traditionally focus on the superhuman or divine while providing a model of behavior for their consumer, who is more often than not encouraged by them to accept a sort of socio-economic status quo, along with a sense of diversion and the illusion that in escaping reality, the person buying into the myth is escaping the status-quo of an
economically oriented social class system. This particular diversion is carried on through time and changed, if slightly, by successive generations as the gradations of society change with time (although the continuance of myth is often retrogressive concerning the continuance of the society). Although the theme may only change slightly, the
presentation of a new myth within this traditional trope suggests other changes that are more important."
Abstract This paper examines the biological vs. social and cultural perspectives of mental health, clearly emphasizing the social and cultural approach more so than the biological one, since current trends indicate that this is a key issue in the field of mental health today. The paper investigates mental illness primarily from the standpoint that mental illness may result from social and cultural factors more so than biological ones. However the paper also carefully provides a solid foundation for promoting both views and treatment approaches to mental illness in the attempt to better understand mental illness and its impact on society in general.
Current Issues in Mental Health: Examining Mental Illness From a Cultural
and Social Perspective
Introduction
Mental Illness as Biology?
Mental Illness from a Cultural Perspective
The Mind as Machine
The Use of Psychiatric Medications to Treat Illness
Duality of Disease
The Stigma of Mental Illness
Conclusions/Analysis
References
From the Paper "Wakefiled (1994) poses the question of whether or not the concept of a mental disorder might be culturally relative (Kirk & Einbinder, pp.11-17). He suggests that mental disorders may result more from cultural and social influences and factors than biological ones. His theory is based on the notion that people respond differently to different things based in part on their upbringing, surroundings and social environment. People also have the inherent capability of being conditioned to respond in a certain manner to certain things. What might be considered normal for one person in one culture may be considered aberrant behavior in another."
Abstract This paper examines how the aetiology of mental illness has rested mainly on the notion that the main contributing factors rest in the biological school of thought and how it was not until the 19th century that psychological explanations began to emerge. This paper seeks to explore the differing factors of the aetiology of mental illness from the differing schools of thought in the psychological, biological and sociological perspectives.
From the Paper "Concepts of mental health include subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence, and self-actualization of one's intellectual and emotional potential, among others. From a cross-cultural perspective, it is nearly impossible to define mental health comprehensively." The World Health Report (2001) Spanning almost 2,500 years explanations as to the aetiology of mental illness has rested mainly on the notion that the main contributing factors rest in the biological school of thought and it was not until the 19th century that psychological explanations began to emerge. Furthermore, the 20th century brought new and different ways of thinking and social issues became more prominent. This essay will seek to explore the differing factors of the aetiology of mental illness from the differing schools of thought in the psychological, biological and sociological perspectives."
Abstract Sexual difference is a recent addition to studies of gender. It is generally defined as the intersection between biological sex, social aspects of gender, as well as the impact of sexuality. In effect, it posits that none of these are mutually exclusive, that they combine to create "gender identity." It particular, this paper looks at how transgenderism poses challenges to this - and how it asks why these intersections come in to play and what the costs of incongruity between the three are. This paper looks at drag performance, 'true' transgenderism, and shemale porn in this context, asking whether they each support or erode hegemonic ideals of sexual difference. By looking at the specific gender performances in each category, drag can be presented as subversive to ideas of sexual difference, transgenderism can be perceived as supportive of sexual difference, and shemale porn unintentionally falls somewhere in the middle - it is both subversive and supportive.
Outline
Drag - Entertainment and Political Subversion
True Transgenderism - Replications of Hegemony?
Shemale Porn - Dominance, Subjugation and 'Faking It'
Conclusion
From the Paper "Raymond suggests that transsexuality, without the option of surgery, "could turn our sexual order upside down because it evades the impact of both socialization and biology as instances of sex typing" (cited in de Castro, 1993, p 88). In other words, transgenderism could have the political effect of drag performance everyday, on all people. Drag, unfortunately, only has the opportunity to challenge hegemonic norms at specific and scheduled times, to a limited (usually paying, interested, and open-minded) audience. However, by escaping into surgery, by 'matching' gender and biology, it is argued that transgendered people give up that opportunity in order to participate in the dichotomous thinking of our gender-repressive society."
Abstract In this paper the writer studies the book, 'The Social Construction of Reality', by Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann. The writer discusses the context of the sociological theory with which the book was written. Further, the writer examines the major ideas of the book in addition to its contribution to sociological knowledge.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine the book 'The Social Construction of Reality' by Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann. The plan of the research will be to set forth the context of sociological theory in which the text was written and then to discuss its major ideas as well as evaluate its contribution to the body of sociological knowledge. One of the most striking features of S.C. is that it makes a claim for perceptions and understanding of what is real of the kind ... "
Abstract This paper examines the reasons for the increase in cohabitation among unmarried couples. It bases its discussion on symbolic interactionism and constructionism. The paper looks at the statistics over the last few decades and discusses reasons for the rise in the number of cohabiting couples. It then discusses the social effects of the rise, particularly on the couples and children resulting from their union.
Table of Contents:
The Rise Of Cohabitation
Social Effects
From the Paper "Research is still being conducted regarding the effects of cohabitation unions on children, especially since statistics show that at least two-fifths of children in the country live with their mother and one cohabitating father. Early research shows that children in such households may be disadvantaged in terms of family income, as cohabitating couples tend to earn less than their married counterparts (Bumpass and Lu 1999). These children are also more likely to undergo transitions in family structures (Ogden 2005). Parents and guardians need to take these needs into account to take care of their children's well-being."
