Constructivism in Theories and Methods in Political Research

Constructivism

A theory positing that human behavior is shaped by the ideas, beliefs, norms, and identities people adopt through social interaction.

Social Constructs

Ideas that influence people's actions, including norms, beliefs, and identities, as understood by Parsons (2010).

Dynamic and Open-Ended

A view in constructivism that considers social and political rules as constantly changing and subject to reinterpretation.

Bias and Social Constructs in AI

The concept that AI technologies reflect biases and assumptions based on their design and training data.

Philosophical Implications of AI

The exploration of how AI systems are influenced by the frameworks used to interpret the world.

Open-ended Interviews

Qualitative research methods allowing subjects to express views freely to uncover social constructs.

Textual Analysis

The examination of texts to reveal underlying social norms, values, and ideologies.

Limitations of Constructivism

Challenges faced by constructivism, including perceived lack of rigor, difficulty in generalization, and risks of supporting post-truth narratives.

Understanding State Behavior

How constructivism explains state actions based on identity and shared understandings instead of solely material interests.

Key Text in Constructivism

'Constructing International Politics' by Alexander Wendt, which emphasizes the social construction of international relations.

Comparing Perspectives on Neutrality

Constructivism rejects neutrality, suggesting that researchers must acknowledge their social positions, unlike behavioralism which favors objectivity.

Transparent Knowledge

The constructivist preference for acknowledging the subjective lens of the researcher, contrasted with positivist emphasis on objective knowledge.