What do institutional facts rely on according to social constructionism?

Institutional facts fundamentally depend on human perceptions and societal beliefs because they are constructed through shared understanding and consensus within a community. Social constructionism posits that many aspects of our reality, including ideas about institutions, values, and norms, are not inherent or natural but rather created and maintained through social interaction and collective agreement.

For instance, concepts such as marriage, legal systems, and social norms become institutional facts because society collectively recognizes and endorses them, giving them meaning and significance. These facts can vary across cultures and change over time as societal beliefs evolve.

This perspective contrasts with ideas centered around objective truths, biological processes, or fixed truths. Sociologically, acknowledging that institutional facts are rooted in human constructs highlights the fluidity of social realities and the importance of context in shaping our understanding of the world.