Chapter 2: Constructing Social Reality
1. Berger and Luckmann’s Perspective: The Phenomenon of Reality
A. Defining Reality: something that exists outside our own will
B. The Phenomenological Approach: all that can exist for humans is that of which
we are conscious
2. Concepts and Theory: The Social Construction of Reality
A. Externalization: The Anthropological Necessity
(1.)
The primary defining feature of human nature
(2.)
World construction occurs through culture
B. Objectivation: Making Meaning Real
(1.)
Institutionalization begins as actions are repeated over time
(2.)
Historicity describes the long term objectification of human action
(3.)
Language is the symbolic alphabet we use to express and communicate
meaning
(4.)
Legitimations are stories that give social and power relationships a
cognitive and moral basis
a. Self-evident legitimations
b. Theoretical legitimations
c. Legitimation of symbolic universes
C. Internalization: Making Culture Feel Real
(1.)
Primary Socialization
(2.)
Secondary Socialization
3. Concepts and Theory: Changing and Preserving Reality
A. The Preservation of Reality in Everyday Life
(1.)
Suspension of Doubt = people don’t ask questions
(2.)
Routine gives life and its meanings a clear sense of taken-for-grantedness
(3.)
Talk allows us to keep taking reality for granted
(4.)
Biographical Experience is a social construction that is based on socially
created reality
(5.)
Therapy is a formal way that we help people who are unable to accept
reality
(6.)
Nihilation describes the ways that we disregard competing definitions of
reality