Experiences are socially constructed, but by whom? Constructivism vs constructionism
Most qualitative researchers will readily tell you that reality is socially constructed. But there is less awareness that there are different ways of thinking about social construction, and specifically that the terms constructivism and constructionism are not synonymous.
My qualitative work – for example, interviewing journalists about their trauma experiences – has been informed by social constructivism (Matthews & Ross, 2010). The research aims were exploratory and emphasised the journalists’ subjective experiences of their work, trauma exposure, and reactions to trauma. From this perspective, journalists’ perceptions and attitudes area are prioritised and viewed as socially constructed. These perceptions and attitudes are expected to vary between journalists, even when they might have be present at the same traumatic event. In addition to this, a social constructivism perspective views journalists’ attitudes and perceptions as “continually being reviewed and reworked … through social interaction and reflection” (Matthews & Ross, 2010, p. 25).
Social constructionism is different – it is concerned with a completely different level of analysis. Within a social constructionism approach, experiences are similarly seen to be socially constructed. But the priority isn’t placed on individual perceptions and attitudes themselves. Instead, analysis focuses on the role of macro (society) level discourses in the journalists’ retelling and understanding of their own trauma exposure and reactions (Hepburn, 2006).
If you are interested in understanding how individuals perceive and make sense of their own experiences then you are subscribing to social constructivism. If you are interested in understanding how individual experiences are constructed and maintained through wider societal influences and discourses, then you are subscribing to social constructionism.
For other interesting information about psychological research and practice, check out my blog, connect on LinkedIn, and listen to Psych Attack podcast.
Notes
This post has been paraphrased from my PhD thesis:
The featured image is by Lucas K.
References
Hepburn, A. (2006). Constructionism. In V. Jupp, The Sage Dictionary of Social Research Methods (pp. 38–40). London: Sage.
Matthews, B., & Ross, L. (2010). Knowledge, Theories, Paradigms and Perspectives. In Research Methods: A practical guide for the social sciences (pp. 16–41). Harlow: Pearson Education.