An Introduction to Social Constructionism

An Introduction to Social Constructionism PDF Author: Vivien Burr
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134849079
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 155

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Book Description
An invaluable, clear guide to social constructionism for all perplexed students who want to begin to understand this difficult area. Introduction to Social Constructionism is a readable and critical account of social constructionism for students new to the field. Focusing on the challenge to psychology that social constructionism poses, Vivien Burr examines the notion of 'personality' to illustrate the rejection of essentialism by social constructionists. This questions psychology's traditional understanding of the person. She then shows how the study of language can be used as a focus for our understanding of human behaviour and experience. This is continued by examining 'discourses' and their role in constructing social phenomena, and the relationship between discourse and power. However, the problems associated with these analyses are also clearly outlined. Many people believe that one of the aims of social science should be to bring about social change. Vivien Burr analyses what possibilities there might be for change in social constructionist accounts. She also addresses what social constructionism means in practice to research in the social sciences, and includes some guidelines on doing discourse analysis.

An Introduction to Social Constructionism

An Introduction to Social Constructionism PDF Author: Vivien Burr
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134849079
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 155

Get Book

Book Description
An invaluable, clear guide to social constructionism for all perplexed students who want to begin to understand this difficult area. Introduction to Social Constructionism is a readable and critical account of social constructionism for students new to the field. Focusing on the challenge to psychology that social constructionism poses, Vivien Burr examines the notion of 'personality' to illustrate the rejection of essentialism by social constructionists. This questions psychology's traditional understanding of the person. She then shows how the study of language can be used as a focus for our understanding of human behaviour and experience. This is continued by examining 'discourses' and their role in constructing social phenomena, and the relationship between discourse and power. However, the problems associated with these analyses are also clearly outlined. Many people believe that one of the aims of social science should be to bring about social change. Vivien Burr analyses what possibilities there might be for change in social constructionist accounts. She also addresses what social constructionism means in practice to research in the social sciences, and includes some guidelines on doing discourse analysis.

Introduction to Social Constructionism

Introduction to Social Constructionism PDF Author: Francoise Leutwyler
Publisher:
ISBN: 9783638086561
Category :
Languages : de
Pages :

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Book Description


Thinking About Social Problems

Thinking About Social Problems PDF Author: Donileen Loseke
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351472097
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
The new second edition of this distinctive and widely adopted textbook brings into the classroom an overview of how images of social problems can shape not only public policy and social services, but also the ways in which we make sense of ourselves and others. It introduces two primary changes. First, some attention is devoted to the "new social movements" that emphasize social change through identity transformation rather than through structural change. Second, the text now also looks more closely at the importance of emotions in constructing public consciousness of social problems.When the first edition was published, Teaching Sociology noted, "Loseke does a superb job explaining the relationship between sociology and social problems in a text that is very well research and engaging, yet with tremendous attention to detail and accuracy... [W]ould provide a solid base for any social problems class." Contemporary Sociology wrote that the book is "engagingly well written in a personal, unpretentious style, and well informed by the author's knowledge of the professional literature."

Social Constructionism

Social Constructionism PDF Author: Vivien Burr
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317503961
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 286

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Book Description
Now in its third edition, this successful book introduces students to the area of social science theory and research known as social constructionism. Using a variety of examples from everyday experience and from existing research in areas such as personality, sexuality and health, it clearly explains the basic theoretical assumptions of social constructionism. Key debates, such as the nature and status of knowledge, truth, reality and the self are given in-depth analysis in an accessible style. Drawing on a range of empirical studies, the book clearly defines the various different approaches to social constructionist research and explores the theoretical and practical issues involved. While the text is broadly sympathetic to social constructionism, it also adopts a critical perspective to the material, addressing its weaknesses and, in the final chapter, subjecting the theory itself to a more extensive critique. New to this edition: Extended coverage of the relationship between 'mainstream' psychology and social constructionism and how the two fields can engage with each other. An exploration of the rise and popularity of neuroscience and the challenge it poses to social constructionism. New material on the field of psychosocial studies. Updated coverage of existing key issues such as age and sexuality, and inclusion of more recently emerging issues (e.g. status and role of affect). Updated discussion of key social constructionist contributors, with revised references. Updated chapter on research methods, including more on narrative and critical narrative analysis, and personal construct methods. The third edition of Social Constructionism extends and updates the material covered in previous editions and will be an invaluable and informative resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students across the social and behavioural sciences.

Social Problems

Social Problems PDF Author: Robert Heiner
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 9780195129922
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 205

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Book Description
Social Problems: An Introduction to Critical Constructionism synthesizes conflict theory and social constructionism to help students think critically about social problem construction. A concise alternative to the all-encompassing standard textbooks currently available, this book examines a single theoretical paradigm in depth and demonstrates how theory can be used to understand a breadth of real world phenomena. In six succinct chapters, it focuses on the four problems most often found in social problems courses-inequality, family problems, crime/deviance, and population/environment-analyzing each from a critical constructionist perspective. This approach, popular among many sociologists, helps students conceive of social problems not as objective situations that are "out there," but as socially constructed phenomena whose importance varies according to media attention and the needs of particular interest groups. The author makes the important connection between the power of certain interest groups and their ability to draw the public's attention toward certain problems and away from others. He recognizes the critical role that the media plays in problem construction and provides a systematic critique of media interests. A much-needed cross-cultural emphasis illustrates the range of possibilities in which social problems and their solutions can be conceived; alternative problem construction commonly used outside the United States is examined as well. Special attention is given to the effects of globalization and to the role of corporate interests in problem construction. Offering students a solid theoretical background, Social Problems: An Introduction to Critical Constructionism is intended primarily for social problems courses. Given its readability and consistent application of theory, this book can also be used in introductory sociology courses and social theory courses.

An Introduction to Social Psychology

An Introduction to Social Psychology PDF Author: James Alcock
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1473907365
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 656

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Book Description
Psychology recognises no borders. The relationships between people and the groups they form are determined by similar principles no matter where in the world they come from. This book has been written to introduce students from all countries and backgrounds to the exciting field of social psychology. Recognising the limitations that come from studying the subject through the lens of any one culture, James Alcock and Stan Sadava have crafted a truly international social psychology book for the modern era. Based on classic and cutting-edge scholarship from across the world, An Introduction to Social Psychology encourages mastery of the basics as well as critical thinking. Incorporating relevant insights from social neuroscience, evolutionary theory and positive psychology, it offers: Chapters on crowd behaviour and applied social psychology Discussion of new means of social interaction, including social media Relevant insights from social neuroscience, evolutionary theory and positive psychology A companion website features extensive additional resources for students and instructors

Social Constructionism, Discourse and Realism

Social Constructionism, Discourse and Realism PDF Author: Ian Parker
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1446236617
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description
This book charts a clear and accessible path through some of the key debates in contemporary psychology. Drawing upon the wider critical and discursive turn in the human sciences, Social Constructionism, Discourse and Realism explores comprehensively the many claims about what we can know of `reality′ in social constructionist and discursive research in psychology. Relativist versus realist tensions go to the heart of current theoretical and methodological issues, not only within psychology but across the social and human sciences. By mapping the connections between theory, method and politics in social research and placing these within the context of the broader social constructionist and discursive debates, the internationally renowned contributors offer the reader an invaluable survey of the debates.

Social Constructionism in Vocational Psychology and Career Development

Social Constructionism in Vocational Psychology and Career Development PDF Author: Peter McIlveen
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9462090807
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 120

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Book Description
"The contemporary world-of-work makes demands upon the field of career development and vocational psychology to ensure that theories and practices retain their relevance amidst the complexity of work and learning in people's lives. Social Constructionism is the emerging paradigm that can reformulate theories and practices of career development that have come before. Social Constructionism opens new perspectives and raises questions about phenomena that have captured the imagination of scholars and practitioners for a century. In this fourth book in the Sense Career Development Series, a host of international authors open the window of Social Constructionism to reveal the challenges that lay ahead in the next generation of research and practice. This little book is ideal for the graduate scholar, researcher, and seriously curious practitioner who seek to understand Social Constructionism, the questions it raises, and how those questions may be answered. Readers will be challenged to think hard, review their assumptions, and see the world of work and learning anew. The rewards are worth the effort."

Social Constructionism

Social Constructionism PDF Author: Andy Lock
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139487361
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 403

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Book Description
Social Constructionism: Sources and Stirrings in Theory and Practice offers an introduction to the different theorists and schools of thought that have contributed to the development of contemporary social constructionist ideas, charting a course through the ideas that underpin the discipline. From the New Science of Vico in the 18th century, through to Marxist writers, ethnomethodologists and Wittgenstein, ideas as to how socio-cultural processes provide the resources that make us human are traced to the present day. Despite constructionists often being criticised as 'relativists', 'activists' and 'anti-establishment' and for making no concrete contributions, their ideas are now being adopted by practically-oriented disciplines such as management consultancy, advertising, therapy, education and nursing. Andy Lock and Tom Strong aim to provoke a wider grasp of an alternative history and tradition that has developed alongside the one emphasised in traditional histories of the social sciences.

A Student′s Introduction to Geographical Thought

A Student′s Introduction to Geographical Thought PDF Author: Pauline Couper
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 147391132X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 281

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Book Description
This ism-busting text is an enormously accessible account of the key philosophical and theoretical ideas that have informed geographical research. It makes abstract ideas explicit and clearly connects it with real practices of geographical research and knowledge. Written with flair and passion, A Student′s Introduction to Geographical Thought: Explains the key ideas: scientific realism, anti-realism and idealism / positivism / critical rationalism / Marxism and critical realism/ social constructionism and feminism / phenomenology and post-phenomenology / postmodernism and post-structuralism / complexity / moral philosophy. Uses examples that address both physical geography and human geography. Use a familiar and real-world example - ‘the beach’ - as an entry point to basic questions of philosophy, returning to this to illustrate and to explain the links between philosophy, theory, and methodology. All chapters end with summaries and sources of further reading, a glossary explaining key terms, exercises with commentaries, and web resources of key articles from the journals Progress in Human Geography and Progress in Physical Geography. A Student′s Introduction to Geographical Thought is a completely accessible student A-Z of theory and practice for both human and physical geography.