Describe what symbolic interactionists mean by the social construction of reality
What will be an ideal response?
Symbolic interactionists believe that there is very little shared reality beyond that which
is socially created. They refer to this as the social construction of reality—the process
by which our perception of reality is largely shaped by the subjective meaning that we
give to an experience. This meaning strongly influences what we "see" and how we
respond to situations. Our perceptions and behavior are influenced by how we initially
define situations. We act on reality as we see it. Sociologists describe this process as
the definition of the situation, meaning that we analyze a social context in which we
find ourselves, determine what is in our best interest, and adjust our attitudes and
actions accordingly. This can result in a self-fulfilling prophecy—a false belief or
prediction that produces behavior that makes the originally false belief come true.
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Sex is biological, while gender is socially constructed
a. true b. false
Max Weber defined a person's status as
A. indistinguishable from class. B. existing apart from the individual. C. independent and distinct from class. D. inseparable from class.
The major environmental problems facing the world today are linked to the production and use of a. fossil fuels
b. hydropower. c. solar energy. d. hydroelectric power.
Colonial children did not lead innocent lives and were controlled through strict discipline and hard work, due primarily to which social force?
A. poor health B. economic necessity C. poor education D. religious belief