The Social Construction of Meaning

The social construction of meaning refers to how we collectively create and agree upon the significance of concepts, symbols, and norms within a society. Instead of meanings existing naturally or inherently, they develop through shared interactions, language, and cultural practices. For example, what a certain gesture or word signifies can vary across cultures and change over time, because society continuously shapes and redefines these meanings through collective understanding. This process highlights that our perceptions of reality are not solely individual but are built through social agreements and shared experiences.