What characterizes strong social constructionism?

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Prepare for the MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Strong social constructionism emphasizes that reality is largely shaped by social processes, language, and cultural norms. This perspective posits that our understanding of the world and the meanings we assign to events, objects, and ideas are not simply reflections of an objective reality, but rather constructs shaped through social interactions. Language plays a crucial role in this construction; it is the medium through which we interpret experiences and communicate shared meanings within a community.

By asserting that reality is dependent on language and social habits, strong social constructionism highlights how individuals and groups create shared understandings that can vary significantly across different cultures and contexts. This view contrasts sharply with perspectives that suggest reality is fixed and independent of human perception, which is reflective of other philosophical stances.