Social Constructivism In Sociological Research

Furze et al observe, “The school of sociological thought known as social constructionism emphasises that various social problems, including crime, are not inherent in certain actions themselves” (Furze et al, 2012, p.382). How instead do social constructionists suggest the problems might arise?

Social constructivism in relation to deviance and crime is deemed as the emphasis of social problems and how particular behaviours are not fundamental in themselves (Furze et al, 2012). In other words, society creates knowledge through communication and not necessarily are all social issues are of a concern as society creates them to be.

Embedded in social constructivism are people with power. Prime examples of people with power in a society could

These people that withhold the power in society, can use this power to stigmatise certain people and situations (Furze et al, 2012). For example, smoking marijuana had been seen as a deviant behaviour, but in modern time, some people believe it to be a social norm. For some individuals, this is still a very deviant behaviour. Because there is such a divide this has caused a social problem, keeping people unsure of where they stand on the topic. Social problems stem from the construction of people and actions and where the people with power perceive the issue at

Foucault; a French philosopher, aims to make understanding the shift away from overly violent methods of social control. Foucault tends to have a strong position and highlights the difference between prisons and punishment, and how hospitals have advanced, to become a part of a discipline and surveillance (Anleu, 2006). As analysed by Foucault, three major themes have been explained; reason, control and diffusion, these three themes are under the Sociology of Punishment. For Foucault, this has advanced his work to communicate and understand the shifts away from overly violent methods of social