Implications Of Social Constructionism Research Articles

Explicating the social constructionist perspective on crisis communication and crisis management research: a review of communication and business journals

ABSTRACT There is a growing body of literature concerning the social construction of crisis. This study aimed to clarify inconsistencies regarding the social constructionist perspective by examining how the key terms of social constructionism are applied in crisis communication and crisis management studies. Through an analysis of 65 scholarly works in both communication and business journals, this study proposes a four-dimensional model of social constructionist crisis research (SCCR): (1) cause – the objective facticity and subjective meaning of crisis; (2) text – a constitutive view of language; (3) meaning – multiple actors and multiple realities; and (4) context – societal context awareness. Next, three approaches to SCCR are identified: a terminological approach, a framing approach, and a complexity-based approach. Lastly, the implications of social constructionism for theory and methodology development in crisis communication are discussed.

The Image of “Woman” in Turkish Political and Social Thought: On the Implications of Social Constructionism and Biological Essentialism

This article critically evaluates the writings of two well‐known intellectuals, Ismayıl Hakkı Baltacıoğlu (1886–1978) and Vâlâ Nureddin (Vâ‐Nû) (1901–1967), and seeks to assess the implications of social constructionism and biological essentialism for the formation of Republican woman’s identity as presented in the works of these authors respectively. The central aim of the article is to reveal and re‐appraise the patriarchal mentality underlying Turkish political and social thought by examining the connections between social constructionism and essentialism, as two main factors reinforcing gender inequality in the context of Turkish modernization and the nation‐building process. Firstly, it is argued that the works of both authors reflect the dominant gender structure in Turkey, grounded on the subordinate position of women. Despite their divergent positions, neither of the authors provides openings for gender equality. Baltacıoğlu advocates social constructionism emphasizing the socio‐cultural at the expense of the natural during the identity formation process while Nureddin supports a biologically essentialist world view based on the “allotted” nature of the female. Baltacıoğlu’s social constructionism leads to gender (in)equality based on “sameness,” within the contours of the public life whereas biological essentialism of Vâ‐Nû, signifies an ontological rejection of gender equality. Secondly, it is argued that both of the authors adopt a functionalist perspective emphasizing the reproductive function of women for men, family and nation and approach the issue of woman’s identity within framework of the tradition‐modernity continuum.

Implications of social constructionism for social work

According to the social constructionist approach, all knowledge is socially constructed. This construction includes our knowledge of what is reality. This paper provides an exploration of social constructionism as a basis for social work practice. A further purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of social constructionism for the practice of social work, with examples drawn from social work in Turkey.

The science and meaning of the self.

Scientists and practitioners alike invest in theorizing the self in psychology, but prioritize differently theoretical and practical objectives. Theorizing the self differs also when mapped onto the 'science versus art' debate, viewed historically and with reference to the philosophy of science. Jung's model of the psyche is compared and contrasted with social cognitive models of self-concept. Finally, some implications of social constructionism are considered.

Gergen's Social Constructionism

There has been increasing interest in the epistemological and ontological implications of social constructionism. The debate has been conducted on almost overwhelmingly neo-Kantian terms: Do concepts (social practices, discourse, narratives) constitute objects? What are the consequences for things as they are in themselves? How are social actors to be understood in the light of their mode of epistemological access to this world? The following argues for a reorientation of social constructionism in the direction of questions around the nature of group dynamics and intersubjectivity.

Social constructionism: a theoretical framework to underpin support for the development of managers in SMEs?

Policy documents stress the importance of learning and knowledge to the competitiveness of the economy. The documents draw attention to the positive impact on economic performance although the link between management training and small firm performance remains empirically contested. Many outside agencies, and particularly those which are publicly funded, face significant difficulties in bringing new learning to smaller organisations. In particular, generalised notions, recipes and tool‐kits of techniques for how small business managers should be developed can easily be dismissed as irrelevant by the small business managers themselves. This would suggest a methodological gap which highlights the failure of many interventionist frameworks. Argues that this gap can be bridged by taking a social constructionist view to supporting small business managers and the development of their organisations. Provides an introduction to the key ideas of social constructionism and their relevance to understanding the support process underpinning the development of managers in smaller businesses. Concludes with a discussion of the implications of social constructionism for those involved in researching, evaluating and developing services to support management development in small business organisations.

Mission statements as corporate communications: the consequences of social constructionism

An agenda for a social constructionist perspective on corporate communication. It seeks to do so by focusing on the mission statement as an aspect of corporate communications. Previously unpublished research on mission statement design and use in the UK is used as a basis for an analysis of the theoretical assumptions which are often presupposed in corporate communications. It is suggested that these assumptions represent one (cognitivist) model of communication meaning‐making. The alternative model of socially constituted meaning‐making is developed in the context of mission statement use. Some further, more general suggestions are made concerning the implications of social constructionism for corporate communications.

Using a narrative metaphor: implications for theory and clinical practice.

The evolution of family therapy from a cybernetic metaphor to a narrative metaphor has led us to think differently about therapy, about clients, and about ourselves as therapists. In this article we pursue how this different way of thinking has informed a theoretical understanding of a narrative therapy approach and consequently has opened space for different ways of working clinically. We begin by tracing the evolution to narrative; we consider the implications of social constructionism and its political effects; and we complete the discussion by focusing on narrative theory. We then show how the clinical work follows logically and is coherent with the theoretical considerations. We describe, and illustrate with clinical examples, an innovative approach to working with couples and families with adolescents. In this work we pay attention to the larger cultural stories, including gender constructions, and to personal stories that persons have created to make meaning out of their experience as they interact with one another in a reciprocal meaning-making process. Interventions focus on externalizing the problem narrative that is influencing the client(s), mapping the effects of the problem pattern and/or the totalizing view persons might have of others, and creating space for client(s) to notice preferred actions and intentions. Finally, we close the loop by asking questions of ourselves and others about the effects of working from a narrative metaphor.

The Implications of Social Constructionism for Social Work Education

This paper discusses the basic tenets of social contructionism. Four implications of this perspective for social work education are described: social theory and the linguistic representation of knowledge, critical thinking, historical and cultural relativity, and morality and values.