The social constructionist perspective says that communication is a means in which to build worlds. It's basically all encompassing and affects every aspect of our lives. Through this perspective we take into account the possibility that communication does not only happen between individual people.
We build worlds through communication by using specific languages, information processing, beliefs, attitudes, etc. So each culture and each society creates their own communication world. For example, in our culture jobs and success are very important; so a lot of our communication revolves around those things. But in some other cultures around the world, family and happiness are much more important, so their communication revolves around those things. Different communication creates different different worlds.
Another example of this is the recent economical crises. We have constructed a world of fear and anxiety based on what has been communicated to us in the media and through people we know. The social constructionist perspective says that much of what we know of the world around us is based on what has been communicated to us and not on what we've experienced first hand.
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You have a very interesting point. "The social constructionist perspective says that much of what we know of the world around us is based on what has been communicated to us and not on what we've experienced first hand. That is very true. I know that we're in a recession, actual a deflation, one step before depression. The media is talking about. Everywhere you go, all you hear about is the economy. I personally have not seen the affects of the economy altering my lifestyle. I know that I am very fortunate. The only reason I know that we are in a crisis is because everyone keeps communicating this fact.
ReplyDeleteYour example of the importance our culture places on jobs as a sign of success versus other cultures importance on family is a good example of the cultural traditions portion of the social constructive perspective.
ReplyDeleteYour second example was even better because I do believe that the media has a huge part in constructing our "reality". They have control over what gets to be "breaking news" and basically whats important to tell the world.
This is a little off topic, but I guess that's why I think that the internet is the best way to get your news because you can search what topics you find interesting and don't have to get biased views from one network or the other.
Hi CGH! You mentioned the media in your post here. In what ways, other than what you have mentioned, has our media helped to shape our reality? Has media involvement been good or harmful? In what ways?
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