Have you ever wondered why we do things a certain way or why some things are considered “normal” and others aren’t? Well, you’ve come to the right place because today we’re diving into the fascinating world of social constructs.
A social construct is like an invisible rulebook that society has created over time. These “rules” tell us what to do, how to behave, and even what to think in some cases.
And guess what? These rules aren’t set in stone; they can change and evolve, just like us!
Understanding social constructs is super important because they shape our daily lives, from how we interact with friends and family to the jobs we choose. Today, we’ll explore what social constructs are, why they matter, and look at some cool examples from history. We’ll even throw in some fun brain games to test your knowledge.
What is a Social Construct?
Why do Social Constructs Matter?
Social Construct Examples
Gender Roles
Race and Ethnicity
Money
Marriage and Family
Education
Beauty Standards
Language
Religion
Law and Order
Social Class
Nationality
Fashion
Music Genres
Age Groups
Workweek
Holidays
Manners
Ownership
Success
Dietary Norms
Mental Health
Time
Leisure Activities
Subcultures
Masculinity and Femininity
Human Rights
Patriotism
Personal Space
Popularity
Taboos
Individualism and Collectivism
Adulthood
Celebrity Culture
Pets and Domestic Animals
Intelligence
Physical Fitness
Sexual Orientation
Online Personas
Friendship
Conclusion
Okay, so let’s break it down. Imagine you’re playing a board game like Monopoly. Before you start playing, you read the rules, right? The rules tell you how to move your token, buy properties, and even how to win. Social constructs are a lot like those rules, but for real life!
They’re guidelines or beliefs that society has agreed upon. The catch is, most of these “rules” aren’t written down anywhere, and we usually learn them as we grow up. They help define whatroles we takein society.
Here’s a simple example: think about a traffic light. Green means go, and red means stop. But who decided that? Well, society did! A long time ago, people agreed that these colors would represent specific actions on the road. Now it’s a rule everyone follows. That’s a social construct in action!
So, in a nutshell, social constructs are theunwritten rules or ideasthat shape our behavior, thoughts, and even our identity.
The term “social construct” didn’t just pop up out of nowhere; it has roots in philosophy and social science. While the idea has been around for a long time, it became more popular in the 20th century. Let’s meet some of the big thinkers who have talked about social constructs.
So there you go! While social constructs have been around for ages, these are some of the brainy people who have helped us understand them better. Each of them has looked at how these invisible “rules” shape our lives in different ways.
drag queen
Alright, so we know what social constructs are and where the term came from. But you might be asking, “Why should I care?” Great question! Social constructs are like the hidden strings that guide our actions and thoughts, kind of like a puppet master behind the scenes. Here’s why understanding them can be a big deal:
So, understanding social constructs is not just for philosophers or sociologists; it’s for everyone! By knowing what they are, we can make better choices, promote equality, and even feel happier being our true selves.
Now that we know what social constructs are and why they’re important, let’s look at some examples that you might recognize.
Gender roles are expectations about how men and women should behave.
In the realm of Gender Roles, French feminist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir was a key theorist. In her seminal book “The Second Sex,” she explored how gender roles are socially constructed.
Race and ethnicity are categories based on skin color, ancestry, or cultural background.
When it comes to race and ethnicity, W. E. B. Du Bois, an American sociologist and civil rights activist, made significant contributions to our understanding of race as a social construct.
Historically, racial categories have been used to legitimize systems like slavery, colonization, and segregation. A stark example of this is Apartheid in South Africa, a legalized system that enforced racial segregation and discrimination.
Money is a medium of exchange that holds value because society agrees it does.
In discussing money, Karl Marx, the 19th-century philosopher, and economist, wrote extensively about money and capitalism as social constructs.
The history of money has evolved from bartering goods to using metal coins, to paper currency, and now digital forms. The United States once used the Gold Standard, a system where every dollar could be exchanged for a specific amount of gold, to give value to its currency.
In the 1950s, the “nuclear family” model—comprising a married couple with children—was held as the ideal in America. This model was popularized through media and became a social construct of what a “normal” family should be.
The systems and standards for imparting knowledge and skills is known as education.
Historically, education was a privilege of the elite, but over time it has become more democratized. An example of a construct within education is the SAT test in the United States. Introduced in 1926, it was created as a “fair” way to measure aptitude and intelligence, although it has been criticized for various biases.
Ideas about what is considered beautiful or attractive are constructed in each society.
Historically, these standards have varied widely from culture to culture and era to era. For example, in Renaissance Europe, fuller body types were considered ideal, which contrasts sharply with today’s often unrealistically slim beauty standards.
Noam Chomsky, a linguist and philosopher, has discussed how language is a construct that shapes our reality.
Language itself has evolved over time and varies dramatically from culture to culture. An example would be the introduction of “text speak” or shorthand like “LOL” and “BRB,” which has become a norm in digital communication.
Belief systems and practices around spirituality are also constructed.
Historically, religion has been used both to unify communities and also to justify conquest and division. A specific example can be seen in the Crusades, where religious beliefs were used to justify military campaigns.
This is the rules and regulations governing behavior.
In discussing law and order, theorists like Michel Foucault have looked at how legal systems are constructs that reflect the power dynamics of a society.
The concept of justice has varied greatly over time and between cultures. One example is the “eye for an eye” principle found in ancient laws like the Code of Hammurabi, which differs significantly from modern notions of justice.
These are categories based on wealth, occupation, or education.
Historically, social class has been a determining factor in one’s quality of life and opportunities. The American Dream, the idea that anyone can achieve upward mobility regardless of their background, challenges but also perpetuates certain class-based constructs.
Nationality is the concept of belonging to a specific country.
What’s considered “in style” or appropriate to wear is also a social construct.
When it comes to fashion, Roland Barthes, a French philosopher and linguist, has discussed fashion as a language and a social system in itself.
Genres are the classification of music based on style, instruments, or origin.
Music genres are another fascinating social construct. Theorists like Simon Frith have explored how genres can be less about the music itself and more about the social and cultural groups they represent.
From classical to jazz to hip-hop, each genre has historical roots. For example, hip-hop originated in African American communities in the 1970s and has become a global phenomenon, though it is still closely tied to discussions about race and inequality.
Categories like “child,” “teenager,” “adult,” etc. are also constructed.
In discussing age groups, Erik Erikson, a developmental psychologist, has outlined stages of human development that have become a societal blueprint for what behaviors are “appropriate” at certain ages.
Historically, rites of passage marked the transition from one age group to another. Today, “Sweet 16” parties or “Quinceañeras” serve as modern rites of passage for teenagers in some cultures.
in the U.S., and much of the modern world, the Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-5 schedule is an accepted construct.
Workweek norms have been a subject of much debate and study. The 5-day workweek with a 2-day weekend is a relatively new invention, largely attributed to labor movements in the early 20th century that fought for better working conditions.
This arrangement is so widely accepted now that we rarely question it, but alternative models, like a 4-day workweek, are beginning to gain attention.
Celebrations and observances that hold cultural significance are selected intentionally.
For instance, Thanksgiving is an American holiday that commemorates a 1621 feast between Pilgrims and Native Americans but is also critiqued for oversimplifying or ignoring the complex history between these groups.
Manners are accepted behaviors in social interactions, like saying “please” and “thank you.”
Manners have changed over time, often reflecting social hierarchies and norms. For instance, the elaborate etiquette of Victorian England was a way to distinguish between different social classes.
Ownership is often discussed in the context of property rights, a topic that philosopher John Locke has written about extensively.
The concept that something can belong to someone is a social construct, rooted in laws and social agreements. For instance, intellectual property rights, like patents and copyrights, are a modern extension of this construct, allowing for the ownership of ideas.
Definitions of achievement, often tied to money or influence, define success.
The notion of success varies widely across cultures and time periods. Sociologist Max Weber’s theory of the “Protestant work ethic” suggests that in certain cultures, success is often equated with hard work and material gain.
For example, the “American Dream” is a culturally specific idea of success that often involves upward mobility and homeownership.
We all decide what is considered acceptable or preferable to eat.
Dietary norms are also socially constructed and can differ widely between cultures, as food scholars like Sidney Mintz have explored.
What is considered acceptable or even delicacies in some cultures might be viewed as strange or unacceptable in others. For instance, eating insects is common in some cultures but might be considered unappetizing in Western societies.
We talk about the definitions and classifications of psychological well-being a lot on this site.
Units like seconds, minutes, hours, and the calendar itself are not universal.
The concept of time, including the units we use to measure it like seconds, minutes, and hours, is another social construct. Anthropologists like Edward T. Hall have explored how different cultures perceive time differently.
Acceptable ways to spend free time, like sports or hobbies, vary wildly across cultures.
When it comes to leisure activities, Thorstein Veblen, an American economist and sociologist, coined the term “conspicuous leisure” to describe activities that signify social status.
Historically, what activities were considered appropriate leisure time pursuits often depended on one’s social class. For example, in the 19th century, attending the opera was a leisure activity largely reserved for the upper class.
Smaller groups within a larger culture sometimes create their own norms.
Subcultures are a fascinating example of social constructs. Theorists like Dick Hebdige have studied how subcultures form as a response to mainstream culture.
Take the punk subculture, which originated in the 1970s as a rebellion against mainstream music and societal norms. The punk movement created its own fashion, music, and ideologies that distinguished it from mainstream culture.
What is considered manly or womanly is also a construct. This is slightly different from genderrolesthat determine how men or women should perform in society, such as what jobs they can have.
Instead, masculine and feminine traits are interested in how we act and what we wear.
Historically, these concepts have been used to justify unequal power relations between men and women. For example, the “macho” ideal in some cultures emphasizes traits like aggression and emotional stoicism as representative of “real men.”
The ideas about what basic rights and freedoms people should have also vary across cultures.
Historically, the concept of human rights has evolved, from the Magna Carta in 1215 to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. One recent example is the ongoing debate around Internet access as a basic human right.
The expectation to support and love one’s country is stronger in some countries than others.
This construct has been used both to unify populations and to justify actions like war. For example, the idea of “American exceptionalism” promotes a form of patriotism that argues for a unique role for the United States in shaping world events.
There are varying concepts of physical distance in social interactions.
Personal space is a construct that varies widely between cultures, as anthropologist Edward T. Hall has explored. What is considered an appropriate distance during social interactions can differ based on cultural norms.
For example, standing very close to someone in conversation is normal in some Middle Eastern cultures but might be considered invasive in Northern European cultures.
Social status is often based on charisma, looks, or other factors.
We can all think of things that are considered unacceptable or forbidden in society.
Taboos are constructs that every culture has, although what is considered taboo can differ greatly. Anthropologists like Mary Douglas have explored how taboos often serve to define the boundaries of a community.
For instance, while eating pork is commonplace in many Western cultures, it’s considered taboo in Jewish and Muslim traditions.
The desire to be independent or always have the family in mind also changes due to culture.
While Western societies often value individual achievement and personal freedom, many Eastern cultures prioritize community and collective well-being. For example, in Japan, the concept of “Honne and Tatemae,” which describes the contrast between a person’s true feelings (honne) and the public facade or behavior one displays in public (tatemae), is a manifestation of collectivism.
At what age does someone become an adult, and what rights and responsibilities come with that?
However, this wasn’t always the case. In medieval Europe, for instance, the age of knighthood—considered a transition into manhood—could be as young as 14 or 15.
Similar to popularity, being famous comes with its own expectations.
What animals are allowed to be in someone’s home?
Pets and domestic animals are a topic of interest to anthropologists like Donna Haraway, who explore how the categorization of animals as “pets,” “wild,” or “livestock” are human-made constructs.
For example, in some cultures, dogs are considered family members, while in others, they may be seen primarily as working animals or even as food.
For example, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is now considered as important as traditional Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in predicting success in various aspects of life.
Do we value a particular physique? Are we expected to look a particular way?
How we determine who we are attracted to is also (at least partially) a social construct. What is allowed? What is taboo? And what is expected of us if we have a certain orientation?
Sexual orientation is another construct that has seen dramatic shifts in societal understanding over time. Theorists like Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick have explored how the categorization of sexual orientation is a social construct that has varied over time and from culture to culture.
For example, the Stonewall Riots in 1969 marked a significant turning point in the gay rights movement and the social construction of LGBTQ+ identities.
We all know that how people act online, especially if they are anonymous, is different than how they would act in person.
Virtual Reality and online personas have been a focus of modern sociological and psychological studies. Sherry Turkle has explored how technology influences social behavior and constructs.
For instance, social media platforms like Instagram often encourage the creation of a curated, idealized version of oneself, which is a new form of social construct emerging from digital culture.
How we determine who is a friend, an acquaintance, or someone closer than that, is also a construct.
The idea of friendship has been a subject of philosophical inquiry since the time of Aristotle, who divided friendships into categories like utility, pleasure, and virtue.
Now that we’ve covered a wide array of examples, let’s move on to some mind-bending brain games and questions that help us think critically about social constructs. These can be fun activities for both kids and adults to challenge our perceptions and understandings.
Currency Challenge: Imagine you’re on a deserted island with a group of people. You find a treasure chest filled with gold coins. Would these coins have any value on the island? Why or why not? Discuss what would make them valuable or worthless.
Time Warp: Pretend you have a time machine that can transport you to any era. How would you explain the concept of a “smartphone” to someone from the 1600s? Think about how the social constructs around communication and technology have evolved.
Gender Swap: Envision a world where the roles of men and women are entirely reversed. What jobs, activities, or behaviors would be considered “masculine” or “feminine” in this flipped world? How does this exercise make you question the roles society has assigned to genders?
Music Mix-Up: Imagine a scenario where classical music is considered “rebellious,” while punk rock is “traditional.” How would concerts, music education, and social attitudes toward these genres be different?
Food for Thought: Think about a food you find unappetizing or even repulsive. Now, imagine you’re in a culture where this food is considered a delicacy. How might this shift your perspective on what’s considered “good” or “bad” food?
Status Quo: Pretend you’re an alien observing Earth. What human behaviors or societal norms would seem the most bizarre to you? Why?
Role Reversal: Imagine you’re a pet and your pet is the human. What rules or norms would govern your relationship? How would this exercise help you understand the social construct of pet ownership?
Success Stories: Think of someone you consider successful. Now, imagine you’re from a culture that has a completely different definition of success. Would you still consider this person successful? Why or why not?
Virtual Reality Check: Create an online persona that is the exact opposite of you. How does it feel to be someone else, even if it’s just virtual? This exercise can give you insights into the social constructs that govern online interactions and identities.
Friendly Debates: What qualities make someone a “good friend” in your culture? Would these qualities be universal, or do they depend on specific cultural or social constructs?
Social constructs are like the invisible threads that weave the fabric of our lives, influencing everything from our relationships to our identities, from what we value to how we behave. While these constructs can often be limiting or restrictive, understanding their origins and impact offers us a powerful tool for change. By questioning the norms we often take for granted, we open the door to reimagining a more equitable and inclusive world.
So the next time you find yourself questioning why something “just is the way it is,” take a moment to dig a little deeper. You might discover that it’s a social construct, ripe for questioning, deconstructing, and perhaps even reconstructing in a way that better serves us all.
Related posts:George Kelly Biography - Contributions To PsychologySocial Construct (Psychology Definition + Purpose)47+ Social Problem Examples (Issues In Society)The Thomas Theorem40+ Famous Psychologists (Images + Biographies)
Related posts:
Reference this article:Practical Psychology. (2023, August).37+ Social Construct Examples (Definition + Game).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/social-construct-examples/.Practical Psychology. (2023, August). 37+ Social Construct Examples (Definition + Game). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/social-construct-examples/.Copy
Reference this article:
Practical Psychology. (2023, August).37+ Social Construct Examples (Definition + Game).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/social-construct-examples/.Practical Psychology. (2023, August). 37+ Social Construct Examples (Definition + Game). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/social-construct-examples/.Copy
Copy
