Chapter 5 : Social Interaction and Everyday Life

Among the theoretical approaches introduced in Chapter 5 is social constructionism. Underlying this perspective is the idea that what individuals perceive and understand as reality is itself a creation of the social interactions between individuals and groups. In order to understand social reality, we need to understand the social processes by which people come to understand their social world. Without a doubt, the broader features of society help to shape not only individuals' experiences of interacting with others, but also their perceptions. One important feature of society is the system of inequality based on class, race, and gender. As demonstrated by the discussion in this chapter, both our race and gender can influence the way we interact with others and the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us. In this exercise we will look at how race may influence perceptions of social reality.

Part I:

Beginning in 1994 and continuing to 2002, the GSS asked respondents, " In the past few years, do you think conditions for black people have improved, gotten worse, or stayed about the same? " Of the 7,792 people who answered this question in one of those years, 62 percent believe that conditions have improved, 30 percent feel that conditions are about the same, and 8 percent say that they have gotten worse. However, when we look at the responses according to the race of the respondent, we find that there are significant differences between black respondents and all the others. Table 1 provides information on these differences.

Writing Assignment 1:

How can you use social constructionism to explain these differences? Why are the responses of non-Whites significantly different than those of Whites? In developing an explanation, think about the ways in which race structures not only our interactions but also our experiences and those of others in our social world.

Part II:

In order to see whether people's perceptions changed over time, we can separate responses for the different years in which the survey was conducted. Let's look at the racial differences in the percentage of respondents who feel that conditions for black people have improved. Table 2 provides that information for you.

Writing Assignment 2:

As you can see, the percentage of respondents who feel conditions have improved has increased across the time period. What conclusions can you draw about changes in perceptions across time? What social factors do you think might influence these changes? What about respondents who felt conditions had gotten worse? If a larger percentage expressed the view that conditions had improved, would a smaller percentage feel the opposite? As you can see from Table 3, this is exactly what has happened.

Part III:

Writing Assignment 3/Essay:

For the last part of the exercise, write a brief summary of what you discovered about racial differences in perceptions about the social world. Include some reflection on your own views and how you think your racial identity, and the experiences and interactions you have had, may shape your own perceptions of reality.