Society’s Construction of Reality Many times sociologists speak about the “social construction of reality” and are never truly understood. In this essay I will try to explain what they mean. Renowned social analyst W.I. Thomas once made this statement: “If men define a situation as real, it is real in its consequences.” What Thomas is stating is that man, his actions and reactions shape reality. This statement holds truth in it. It can be said that we as people change the world through our ideals and our actions. Our ideals foster developmental changes in society, while our actions foster equal if not greater reactions which changes the way society functions. Society is composed of “norms” and “sanctions.” Norms are rules which mandate which things people should or should not do, say, or think in different situations(from: Sociology An Introduction). Norms are both written and non-written. The more flexible non-written norms are called “folkways.” These unspoken social rules know as folkways are usually ideas or habits that society has developed overtime and which are done as almost a second nature. An example of this would be to say “thank you” after you have received something or praying before going to sleep as a child. Written norms such as laws are usually rigidly unyielding, these norms are called “mores”. The violation of these mores are unthinkable and therefore are enforced by some form of punitive measure. These measures are examples of a “sanctions”. Sanctions are the punishments or rewards that a society has placed on norms to discourage and encourage people from breaking the precedents that the norms had set(from: Sociology An Introduction) . There are two forms of sanctions, formal and informal. “Formal sanctions are official, public rewards and punishment…” (from: Sociology A...
