Social Constructionist Ontology vs. Social Constructivist Ontology

Attribute	Social Constructionist Ontology	Social Constructivist Ontology
Definition	Reality is created through social interactions and language.	Reality is constructed through social processes and interactions.
Focus	Emphasizes the role of language and communication in shaping reality.	Focuses on how social interactions and relationships shape individuals' understanding of reality.
Key Theorists	Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann	Lev Vygotsky and Kenneth Gergen
Epistemology	Reality is subjective and socially constructed.	Knowledge is co-constructed through social interactions.

Introduction

Social constructionism and social constructivism are two closely related theories that focus on the ways in which individuals and societies create and maintain their understanding of the world. While both theories share some similarities, they also have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will explore the key differences between social constructionist ontology and social constructivist ontology.

Definition of Social Constructionist Ontology

Social constructionist ontology is a theory that emphasizes the role of language, communication, and social interactions in shaping our understanding of reality. According to social constructionism, reality is not objective or fixed, but rather is constructed through social processes and interactions. This means that our perceptions of the world are influenced by the language we use, the cultural norms we adhere to, and the social institutions we are a part of.

Key Attributes of Social Constructionist Ontology

• Emphasis on language and communication
• Focus on social interactions
• Recognition of the role of culture and society in shaping reality
• Belief that reality is not objective or fixed
• View of knowledge as socially constructed

Definition of Social Constructivist Ontology

Social constructivist ontology, on the other hand, is a theory that focuses on the ways in which individuals construct their understanding of reality through their interactions with others. According to social constructivism, knowledge is not something that exists independently of individuals, but is instead created through social interactions and shared experiences. This means that our understanding of the world is shaped by the perspectives of others and the social contexts in which we exist.

Key Attributes of Social Constructivist Ontology

• Emphasis on individual construction of knowledge
• Focus on shared experiences and social interactions
• Recognition of the role of perspectives and social contexts in shaping reality
• Belief that knowledge is created through social processes
• View of reality as a product of individual and collective experiences

Comparison of Social Constructionist Ontology and Social Constructivist Ontology

While social constructionist ontology and social constructivist ontology share some similarities, such as their emphasis on the social nature of reality and the role of language and communication in shaping knowledge, they also have distinct attributes that set them apart. Social constructionist ontology places a greater emphasis on the role of culture and society in shaping reality, while social constructivist ontology focuses more on the individual construction of knowledge through social interactions.

Additionally, social constructionist ontology tends to view reality as more fluid and malleable, with knowledge being constantly constructed and reconstructed through social processes. In contrast, social constructivist ontology sees reality as a product of both individual and collective experiences, with knowledge being created through shared interactions and experiences.

Overall, both social constructionist ontology and social constructivist ontology offer valuable insights into the ways in which individuals and societies create and maintain their understanding of the world. By exploring the key attributes of each theory, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between language, communication, social interactions, and the construction of knowledge and reality.