Mta01
Part I: Essay: The social constructionist perspective suggests that identities are constructed through language and social relations. Illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of this statement with examples of research studies from this and one other perspective.
Identity is a topic that raises many questions and psychologists take different approaches to define it. Based on their own concerns; they ask different questions, use different methods and make different interpretations of data. This means that they produce different theories about identity. The social constructionist perspective suggests that identities are constructed through language and social relations. This essay will illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of this statement with examples of research studies from this and the psychosocial perspective.
Social constructionists understand identities as fluid and originated through nurture in social interactions. One of the strengths of this perspective is that it sees identities in constant adaptation to circumstances in our bodies, relationships and environment (Phoenix, 2007). ‘When people talk to each other, the world gets constructed’ (Burr, 2003, p.8). We use language to communicate and we construct our own identities through what and how we tell about ourselves (Phoenix, 2007). The psychologist Kenneth Gergen shows how he actively constructed his identity as ‘pen writer’ through his social relationships and how he then adapted to the technological changes by the introduction of the computer (as cited in Phoenix, 2007, p. 71). This fluidity of identity gives us the flexibility to adapt to new circumstances and allows changes throughout life. However, because identities are seen as an interpretation of who we are and how we change, the social constructionists are criticized for considering that everybody has contradictory, de-centred and changeable identities (Phoenix, 2007). In contrast to this perspective is to mention the psychosocial
Identity is a topic that raises many questions and psychologists take different approaches to define it. Based on their own concerns; they ask different questions, use different methods and make different interpretations of data. This means that they produce different theories about identity. The social constructionist perspective suggests that identities are constructed through language and social relations. This essay will illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of this statement with examples of research studies from this and the psychosocial perspective.
Social constructionists understand identities as fluid and originated through nurture in social interactions. One of the strengths of this perspective is that it sees identities in constant adaptation to circumstances in our bodies, relationships and environment (Phoenix, 2007). ‘When people talk to each other, the world gets constructed’ (Burr, 2003, p.8). We use language to communicate and we construct our own identities through what and how we tell about ourselves (Phoenix, 2007). The psychologist Kenneth Gergen shows how he actively constructed his identity as ‘pen writer’ through his social relationships and how he then adapted to the technological changes by the introduction of the computer (as cited in Phoenix, 2007, p. 71). This fluidity of identity gives us the flexibility to adapt to new circumstances and allows changes throughout life. However, because identities are seen as an interpretation of who we are and how we change, the social constructionists are criticized for considering that everybody has contradictory, de-centred and changeable identities (Phoenix, 2007). In contrast to this perspective is to mention the psychosocial
References: Anastasiou, D., & Kauffman, J.M. (2011). A Social Constructionist Approach to Disability: Implications for Special Education. Council for Exceptional Children, 77 (3), 367-384. Burr, V. (2003). Social Constructionism (2nd ed.). East Sussex: Routledge. Phoenix,A. (2007). Identites and diversities. In D. Miell, A. Phoenix, & K. Thomas (Eds.), Mapping Psychology (2nd ed., pp. 43-95). Milton Keynes: The Open University. White, P. (Speaker). (2007). Gender [Audio Programme 1, Week 3]. Milton Keynes: The Open University.