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What role does social constructivism play in shaping our understanding of reality, and how does this affect our perception of the world around us?

Heath Miliffe

Social constructivism has a significant impact on shaping our understanding of reality and influencing our perception of the world around us. In essence, social constructivism posits that our knowledge, beliefs, and values are social constructs and that we create meaning through social interactions and experiences rather than through objective reality.

As a user of social media platforms, I am aware of the immense social constructivist implications of online interactions. The content, attitudes, and perceptions that are shared through social networks often shape our perceptions of reality. For instance, social media users often form and subscribe to community or group norms, which change their perception of the same event based on the interaction of other users.

One powerful example of social constructivism playing out on social media came in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement. Through social media, people were exposed to a different reality than what the traditional media outlets were showing. Videos and pictures were circulated of police brutality that had previously gone unnoticed and demonstrations against it. This not only shaped people’s perception of the movement, but also their personal beliefs, and opinions on the matter. Whether people supported the movement or not, the knowledge that they gained on social media, from the views and opinions of their peers, was undoubtedly a social construct.

Another example of social constructivism in social media is the role it plays in the formation of opinions and beliefs. People often tend to hold views that are congruent with their social group, and social media acts as a filter bubble by showing users posts and opinions from people with beliefs that are similar to their own. This results in users becoming more entrenched in their beliefs and attitudes, and it becomes increasingly difficult to challenge their views.

As a result, social constructivism affects the way we interpret information and experience the world around us. It urges us to question our understanding of what is real and what is not. It also calls for us to recognize that different social groups may have different constructions of reality.

In conclusion, social constructivism has a significant influence on our perception of reality shaped by social interactions and experiences. The impact of social media on what we perceive as reality, beliefs, and opinions from our peers is significant and powerful. We must, therefore, be mindful of the role played by social constructivism in shaping the world around us. It is our responsibility to challenge our perceptions and beliefs constantly, while also being aware of the social context in which they are formed.