The Social Construction of Reality (with Peter L. Berger)

The Social Construction of Reality, developed by Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann, explains how our understanding of the world is shaped through social interactions and shared knowledge rather than solely individual experience. It suggests that societies create and maintain shared meanings—like norms, roles, and institutions—that influence how we perceive reality. This process is ongoing, as these shared understandings are reinforced and passed down through culture, language, and social practices. Essentially, what we consider real or normal is largely a product of collective agreement and socialization.