Answer :
Final answer:
The social construction of reality refers to the process where individuals understand and create reality through interaction, leading to shared but subjectively shaped perceptions of the world. Societies build shared realities based on structures and objects that are ontologically subjective. Symbolic interactionism and the role of media highlight the fluid and continuously shaped nature of reality.
Explanation:
The process by which our perception of reality is shaped largely by the subjective meaning that we give to an experience is referred to as the social construction of reality. This concept suggests that our understanding and creation of reality emerge through our interactions with others. Societies build shared social realities, consisting of structures and objects that, while ontologically subjective, become treated as if they were ontologically objective. Our economic and political institutions, customs, and traditions are examples of such constructions. The symbolic interactionism perspective emphasizes that there is no single objective “reality”; instead, there are multiple, possibly conflicting interpretations of a situation, and meanings can be altered through humans’ creative capabilities.
Individual perceptions are informed by socially constructed entities and relationships, often in contradiction to our direct sensory experiences. Moreover, social location influences how individuals perceive and understand the world, leading to a reliance on subjective viewpoints. Media plays a significant role in the social construction of reality by creating and spreading symbols that become the basis for our shared understanding of society. Therefore, reality is not a fixed entity but is continuously shaped and reshaped through social interactions and the use of shared symbols.
