Social Construction of Reality
Reality is shaped by subjective meanings.
- Sometimes we see what we want or expect; reality is "filtered" through our
subjective meaning systems.
Definition of the situation: "If men define a situation as real, it is real in
its consequences."
Notes:
Some detail on the subjective dimension of reality -
humans create a reality based upon what tools they find available in their culture- the
meanings they sustain and create in their daily interactions. That which seems strange
and unfamiliar to one person may be "normal" to another from a different culture or
subculture or counterculture. Since people are so individual and the context of their
socialization varies, they develop very subjective meaning systems (Zeitgeist) which
can conflict with those of others.
The Thomas theorem explains that situations defined as real can become real even if
objective evidence exists to the contrary.