Identifying the Ideological Social Construct

What are its Implications for Sociology?

Authors

  • Connor William Evans Moreland University of Glasgow

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36399/GroundingsUG.8.210

Keywords:

Identity Politics, Social Fact, Ideology, Social Construct, Reconstructive methods, Methodology, Critical Review

Abstract

In contemporary western discourse the concept of the social fact has gradually been diluted in favour of what many activists refer to as the ‘social construct’. However, this approach to constructivism is not truly sociological, and is based on discourse rather than analysis. This has led to a rise in ‘pop’ sociology. The first half of this article will explore what I have deemed the ‘ideological social construct’, its origins in western discourse and its relation to contemporary identity politics. The second half will focus on possible reconstructive methods for the harm that the ideological social construct has done to social science methodology.

References

D. Altman et al, Homosexuality, Which Homosexuality?: International Conference on Gay and Lesbian Studies (London, 1989).

H. S. Becker, ‘Whose Side Are We On?’ (1967) 14:3 Social Problems 239-247.

M. Carrigan, ‘There’s more to life than sex? Difference and commonality within the asexual community’ (2011) 14:4 Sexualities 462-478.

E. Durkheim, The Rules of Sociological Method (London, 1982).

A. Giddens & P. W. Sutton, Sociology, 7th Edition (Cambridge, 2013).

V. Gilles, ‘Family and Intimate Relationships: A Review of the Sociological Research’, Families & Social Capital ESRC Research Group (London, 2003) 1-23.

C. W. Mills, The Sociological Imagination (New York, 1959).

C. Vance, ‘Social Construction Theory: Problems in the History of Sexuality’ in D. Altman et al, Homosexuality, Which Homosexuality?: International Conference on Gay and Lesbian Studies (London, 1989).

‘Let Them Eat Cake: On Being Demisexual’, C. Liebowitz. Available <http://thebodyisnotanapology.com/magazine/let-them-eat-cake-on-being-demisexual/> [Accessed 13.02.15]

‘LET’S LOSE “VIRGINITY”’, L. Green. Available:<http://lacigreen.tumblr.com/post/53391165491/lets-lose-virginity-my-new-vid-includes> [Accessed 13.02.15]

Downloads

Published

2015-04-01

Issue

Section

Vol. VIII Articles

How to Cite

Identifying the Ideological Social Construct: What are its Implications for Sociology?. (2015). Groundings Undergraduate Journal, 8, 89-101. https://doi.org/10.36399/GroundingsUG.8.210