Final answer:
Constructivism is a sociological theory suggesting that individuals construct their understanding and learning of the world through social interactions and shared experiences. This construction affects how societies perceive norms, behaviors, and emotional responses, influencing what is deemed as deviant or acceptable within different cultural contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept that theories are grounded in constructivism, which suggests that learning is constructed through authentic, real-world experiences, touches upon the essence of the social construction of reality. Constructivism, originating from symbolic interaction theory, posits that our understanding of the world, including deviations from social norms, is shaped by our interactions and the shared conceptions within our community. This sociological perspective implies that meanings and knowledge are not inherent but are created through experiences and social interactions.
For example, the perception of what constitutes deviant behavior differs across societies and is influenced by shared norms and expectations. In one society, finding a wallet and turning it into the authorities might be seen as the standard, while in another, the expectation might be to personally find the wallet's owner. These behaviors are shaped by the constructs that have been established over time, reflecting the shared understanding of appropriate behavior within different cultural settings.
Additionally, the way we understand roles, present ourselves, and perceive others in a social context is also a result of our constructed reality. This includes concepts like emotions and experiences, as argued by Barrett, suggesting that even our emotional responses are predictions shaped by experiences rather than fixed physiological states. The Thomas theorem further elaborates that our subjective interpretation of situations has real consequences on our behavior.