Social construction

The process through which people and social institutions create definitions and meanings, rather than these being fixed or universal.

A concept or category whose meaning is created through social rules, judgements and interactions rather than being fixed universally.

Social construction does not mean that actions have no real consequences: it directs attention to how society defines, interprets and responds to them.

Something shaped by people's definitions, interpretations and decisions rather than simply existing independently of them.

For social construction, explain how the definition or reaction changes with time, place or the people involved; do not just list examples.

When explaining social construction, connect your example to a change in the law: show why behaviour counts as criminal in one context but not another.

To explain social construction, link an example to the law, norm or social reaction that makes the behaviour criminal or deviant. Naming an example alone does not explain the concept.

An idea or category whose meaning is shaped by society and can vary across time and cultures.

Sociologists describe childhood as a social construction. This does not mean that children’s physical growth is imaginary. It means that expectations about what children should do, how much independence they should have and how adults should treat them vary across time and cultures.

The process through which social meanings and expectations are created and maintained through interaction, rather than being simply natural or fixed.

The process through which people create and maintain shared meanings, categories and rules through social life.

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE Sociology · 8192

Exam tips

Get more free notes every week

Eduqas GCSE Sociology · C200