The Social Construction of Nature Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does social construction theory emphasize?

The untouched nature of remote places

The objective characteristics of a category, condition, or thing

The separation of wilderness and nature from society

The influence of beliefs and practices on our understanding of the world (correct)

What does the Thomas Theorem suggest?

People's perceptions do not shape their understanding of the world

Objective reality is more important than perceived reality

Situations perceived as real have real consequences (correct)

Perceptions do not influence the consequences of a situation

In the context of social construction, how are 'wilderness' and 'nature' generally viewed?

As concepts unaffected by human activities

As entirely human-created constructs

As separate from society due to constructed beliefs (correct)

As synonymous terms for untouched natural areas

What is the focus of constructivists according to the text?

How concepts, beliefs, and practices shape our understanding of the world Signup and view all the answers

What is the theory that all beliefs, truths, and facts are socially constructed in a particular social context?

Relativism Signup and view all the answers

What theory argues that humans and nonhumans produce and change one another through interactions?

Co-production Signup and view all the answers

What is the practice of deciding what to observe and what observations mean as humans in a social context?

Socially constructed science Signup and view all the answers

What theory relies on objectivism to prove its point but challenges ideas of desertification using science?

Constructivist paradox Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept that argues that there are influences other than social context, especially in a physical world?

Shades of relativism Signup and view all the answers

Who decides what counts as 'good science' and the topics that interest the scientific community and the agencies that fund them?

Social constructivists Signup and view all the answers

What is the alternative concept to relativism, arguing that humans and nonhumans produce and change one another through interactions?

Co-production Signup and view all the answers

What theory argues that all beliefs, truths, and facts are socially constructed but admits influences other than social context, especially in a physical world?

Shades of relativism Signup and view all the answers

What are some meanings associated with the word 'nature'?

Essential quality, inherent force, and the material world itself Signup and view all the answers

How is the understanding of 'nature' influenced?

By social context, including cultural and belief systems, economic relations, and governance Signup and view all the answers

What are 'nature' and 'natural properties' considered as part of?

Social reality Signup and view all the answers

How have concepts like race been socially constructed?

As natural Signup and view all the answers

How did the social construction of 'New World' natures justify European actions?

Displacing indigenous inhabitants Signup and view all the answers

What can materially change the world according to the text?

Environmental discourse consisting of narrative, concept, ideology, and signifying practices. Signup and view all the answers

How is environmental discourse created and sustained?

By powerful institutions and people. Signup and view all the answers

What is conflicting about the discourse of North African desertification according to the text?

Evidence from different time periods suggests different trends. Signup and view all the answers

What may the discourse of North African desertification support according to the text?

Specific interests and benefit certain groups. Signup and view all the answers

What cultural context is the concept of 'wilderness' specific to?

Western European cultures Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'wilderness' take attention away from according to the text?

Other valuable natural conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding the Social Construction of Nature

The word "nature" has multiple meanings, including essential quality, inherent force, and the material world itself.
The understanding of "nature" is often separate from humans and is influenced by social context, including cultural and belief systems, economic relations, and governance.
Social reality is negotiated and perception-based, and concepts like "nature" and "natural properties" are part of this social reality.
Concepts like race are socially constructed as natural, with examples seen throughout history, influencing domination and colonialism.
The social construction of "New World" natures led to the Europeans justifying displacing indigenous inhabitants.
Environmental discourse, consisting of narrative, concept, ideology, and signifying practices, can materially change the world and is supported by powerful institutions.
Environmental discourse is created and sustained by powerful institutions and people, and its origins are often forgotten.
The discourse of North African desertification has conflicting views, with evidence from the 18th century until 1997 suggesting expansion, while environmental studies say otherwise.
The discourse of North African desertification may support specific interests and benefit certain groups.
The concept of "wilderness" is specific to Western European cultures and has been used to justify displacement and violence.
The concept of "wilderness" places the focus on certain areas and takes attention away from other valuable natural conditions.
The limits of constructivism are questioned in relation to science and how it fits into the social construction of nature.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the social construction of nature with this quiz. Explore topics such as environmental discourse, constructivism, and the perception of 'remote' and unaffected places.