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.