Unraveling Social Constructionism and Essentialism

Essentialism

• Essentialism views things as having their own nature and particular properties.
• There are two types of essentialism, which are:

Types of Essentialism

• Biological essentialism
• Social essentialism

Focus of Essentialism

• Essentialism is interested in the objective properties or essence of a person, particularly their inherent characteristics.

Limitations of Essentialism

• Essentialism can lead to binary or dichotomous thinking.
• An example of binary thinking is the categorization of people into strict male/female categories.
• The opposition created by essentialism can lead to the emergence of conflict and tension.

Comparison of Biological and Social Essentialism

• The main difference between biological essentialism and social essentialism is the origin of the essence: biological essentialism emphasizes the role of biology, while social essentialism emphasizes the role of society and culture.

Gender-Related Terms

• The term 'gender' refers to the sociocultural and psychological differences between men and women.
• Androcentrism refers to the practice of placing male perspectives and values at the center of society.
• The social learning theory suggests that gender identity is influenced by social learning and environmental factors.
• The term 'masculinity' refers to the social and cultural norms associated with being male.

Sexual and Gender Diversity

• The main focus of the Psychological Society of South Africa's sexual and gender diversity position statement is on promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusivity of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.

Test your knowledge of Social Constructionism and Essentialism with this quiz. Explore the concepts of biological essentialism and social essentialism, and understand how they shape our understanding of gender and identity. Challenge yourself and expand your understanding of these important theories.