Define the social construction of reality and provide an example. How this is different from objective reality?

The social construction of reality refers to the idea that our understanding of the world is shaped by the social and cultural context in which we live. This means that our perceptions, beliefs, and values are not solely determined by objective facts, but are influenced by the norms, customs, and institutions of our society.

An example of the social construction of reality can be seen in the concept of gender. In many societies, there are specific expectations and norms for how men and women should behave, dress, and interact with others. These expectations are not based solely on biological differences, but are constructed through socialization and cultural practices. This means that what it means to be a man or a woman is not fixed or universal, but varies across different cultures and historical periods.

This is different from objective reality, which refers to the idea that there are certain truths or facts that exist independently of our perceptions or beliefs. For example, the laws of physics, the existence of natural phenomena, and historical events are considered to be part of objective reality because they can be observed and verified through empirical evidence.

In summary, the social construction of reality emphasizes the role of social and cultural factors in shaping our understanding of the world, while objective reality refers to the existence of truths or facts that are independent of our perceptions.