social construction of reality

When sociologists speak about the social construction of reality what do they mean?

Why is it an important concept to take into account when attempting to understand and explain human social behavior.

Specifically explain and discuss W.I Thomas’ statement “if men define a situation as real,it is real in its consequences”

The social construction of reality concept is also known as social constructionism or social concept. Social constructionism theory examines the changes, trends and developments of shared understandings and opinions which are used to draw assumptions about reality. It is based on human notions that a rational human being operates in models that represents the social world he lives in that are based on experiences and language in use. These connotations and experiences concerns a society and are usually adopted as true based on how they view or deal with objects or events. This theory puts its focus on defining the ways and means that different groups use in construction of what they perceive as social reality. It critically looks into ways social phenomena are created, made known and accepted, institutionalized and adopted as traditions by human beings (Searle, 1995)…………………………………………