Social Construction of Tech

8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech

1/30

Florence PaiseyFlorence Paisey

April 2011April 2011


2/30

yy DefinitionDefinition

yy ImportanceImportance

yy OriginsOrigins

yy Core AssumptionsCore Assumptions

yy Central ConstructsCentral Constructs

yy Leading AdvocatesLeading Advocates

yy Significant StudiesSignificant Studies

yy LimitationsLimitations

yy ConclusionConclusion


3/30

The Theory of the Social Construction ofTechnologyThe Theory of the Social Construction ofTechnology


4/30

yy The Social Construction ofTechnology (SCOT)The Social Construction ofTechnology (SCOT)

has grown out of the tenets of socialhas grown out of the tenets of social

constructivism and the sociology of scientificconstructivism and the sociology of scientific

knowledge.knowledge.

yy SCOT views the development of technology asSCOT views the development of technology as

an interactive process or discourse amongan interactive process or discourse among

technologists or engineers and relevant (ortechnologists or engineers and relevant (or

interested) social groups.interested) social groups.

yy SCOT may be defined as an interactiveSCOT may be defined as an interactive

sociotechnicalsociotechnical process that shapes all forms ofprocess that shapes all forms of

technology.technology.


5/30


6/30

yy Technologies or innovationsTechnologies or innovations like thelike thewheel, the printing press, the bicycle, thewheel, the printing press, the bicycle, theassembly line, computersassembly line, computers all shape andall shape andorganize the world and our lives.organize the world and our lives.

yy IndividualsIndividuals you and meyou and me decide whatdecide whattechnologies or parts of a technology aretechnologies or parts of a technology areuseful, profitable, or comfortableuseful, profitable, or comfortable

meaningful.meaningful.yy GroupsGroups assemblies of individualsassemblies of individuals form,form,

each characterized by particular variables,each characterized by particular variables,each group holding a stake in a technology.each group holding a stake in a technology.


7/30

yy These relevant groups or stakeholders includeThese relevant groups or stakeholders includescientists, technologists, economists, politicians,scientists, technologists, economists, politicians,entrepreneurs, you, me, andentrepreneurs, you, me, and as Chuck wouldas Chuck wouldsaysay Joe, six pack.Joe, six pack.

yy Each stakeholder characterizes innovationsEach stakeholder characterizes innovationswith variant problems and solutionswith variant problems and solutions theytheyinterpret the innovation differently.interpret the innovation differently.yy One innovation may be a solutionOne innovation may be a solution but, also havebut, also have

a bug. If the bug or problem isnt resolved, thea bug. If the bug or problem isnt resolved, theinnovation will failinnovation will fail relevant social groupsrelevant social groups ororstakeholders will not buy in.stakeholders will not buy in.

yy In resolving the problemsIn resolving the problems accepted more oraccepted more orless by significant groupsless by significant groups ---- the social hasthe social hasshaped the technical. Hence,shaped the technical. Hence, sociotechnicalsociotechnical..


8/30

Sociology ofTechnology and Science (STS)Sociology ofTechnology and Science (STS)


9/30

yy The Social Construction ofTechnologyThe Social Construction ofTechnology

(SCOT) was introduced in 1984 by Bijker(SCOT) was introduced in 1984 by Bijker

and Pinch.and Pinch.

yy Their paperTheir paper The Social Construction ofThe Social Construction of

Facts andFacts and ArtefactsArtefacts or How the Sociology ofor How the Sociology of

Science and the Sociology ofTechnologyScience and the Sociology ofTechnology

might Benefit Each Other introduced themight Benefit Each Other introduced the

theory and set forth an argument to supporttheory and set forth an argument to support

it.it.

yy The paper identified mechanisms by whichThe paper identified mechanisms by which

the social and the technical interact.the social and the technical interact.


10/30

yy The sociology of science and the sociologyThe sociology of science and the sociology

of technology had been approachedof technology had been approached

separately.separately.

yy The sociology of science has recentlyThe sociology of science has recently

applied the theory of social constructivism toapplied the theory of social constructivism to

explain its trajectory.explain its trajectory.

yy Social Constructivism holds that knowledgeSocial Constructivism holds that knowledgeis a social constructionis a social construction (not an ultimate(not an ultimate

truth). As such knowledge/science can betruth). As such knowledge/science can be

interpreted in different ways.interpreted in different ways.


11/30

yy Bijker and Pinch relate this perspective to theBijker and Pinch relate this perspective to theprogress of technology.progress of technology.

yy Technologies work or fail because of a rangeTechnologies work or fail because of a rangeofheterogeneous interpretations and variablesofheterogeneous interpretations and variables

constraining or driving factors.constraining or driving factors.

yy Social Constructivism and technology holdsSocial Constructivism and technology holdsthat people attach meanings orthat people attach meanings orinterpretations to artifacts.interpretations to artifacts.

yy People/social groups direct technologicalPeople/social groups direct technologicaldevelopment through theirdevelopment through theirinterpretation/meaningsinterpretation/meanings perhaps to fruition;perhaps to fruition;perhaps to defeat.perhaps to defeat.


12/30

Pioneering Ideas in the Sociology ofTechnologyPioneering Ideas in the Sociology ofTechnology


13/30

yy The idea that the social shapes science was a newThe idea that the social shapes science was a newidea.idea.yy Science is not directed independently, by an internalScience is not directed independently, by an internal

logic or Determinism.logic or Determinism.

yy There is nothing epistemologically special about theThere is nothing epistemologically special about thepath or nature of science.path or nature of science.

yy in other words, this is a relativist positionin other words, this is a relativist position not anot apositivist or objectivist position.positivist or objectivist position.

yy Science progresses due to social forcesScience progresses due to social forces thisthis

includes all social pressuresincludes all social pressures economic, political,economic, political,psychologicalpsychological influences.influences.

yy Social entities attach meanings to specific scientificSocial entities attach meanings to specific scientificendeavors, innovations, or related variablesendeavors, innovations, or related variables if ifthese meanings are accepted by relevant socialthese meanings are accepted by relevant social

groupsgroups science progresses.science progresses.


14/30

yy The trajectory of technology, like science,The trajectory of technology, like science,

does not depend on its independent,does not depend on its independent,

exogenous nature.exogenous nature.

yy Technology is socially constructedTechnology is socially constructed itsits

progress or movement depends on manyprogress or movement depends on many

social factors and relevant social groups.social factors and relevant social groups.


15/30

The Sociology of Science and the Sociology ofTechnologyThe Sociology of Science and the Sociology ofTechnology


16/30

yy Studies in the sociology of technology areStudies in the sociology of technology are

problematic because most studies haveproblematic because most studies have

been conducted on successful innovationsbeen conducted on successful innovations

few studies done on the failures.few studies done on the failures.

yy These studies of innovation suggest thatThese studies of innovation suggest that

there is an implicit assumption that anthere is an implicit assumption that an

innovation succeeded as if a magic wandinnovation succeeded as if a magic wand

made it so.made it so.

yy The sociological variables that played into aThe sociological variables that played into a

success are not sufficiently analyzed.success are not sufficiently analyzed.


17/30

yy Bijker and Pinch use the example of the plasticBijker and Pinch use the example of the plasticBakelite to illustrate their idea of social forces atBakelite to illustrate their idea of social forces atwork in shaping technology.work in shaping technology.

yy BakelikeBakelike: an early plastic, started out as an: an early plastic, started out as anartificial substitute for varnish.artificial substitute for varnish.

yy It was not a market success.It was not a market success.

yy Accidental dumping of materials that make upAccidental dumping of materials that make upBakelite, proved that the material could be moldedBakelite, proved that the material could be molded

into plastics.into plastics.yy The innovation was redirected for use as plasticThe innovation was redirected for use as plastic

and all of its applications.and all of its applications.

yy The scientist who developed Bakelite did notThe scientist who developed Bakelite did notenvision its use as a plastic and the many waysenvision its use as a plastic and the many ways

plastic is used.plastic is used.


18/30

How do Social Groups Form?How do Social Groups Form?


19/30

yy Bijker and Pinch (1984) state thatBijker and Pinch (1984) state that

technology, like science, is sociallytechnology, like science, is sociallyconstructedconstructed its trajectory depends on manyits trajectory depends on many

social factors and relevant social groups.social factors and relevant social groups.


20/30

yyAn implicit assumptionAn implicit assumption

yy Social, political, economic and all otherSocial, political, economic and all other

societal pressures are established (notsocietal pressures are established (not

forming) while shaping a technologicalforming) while shaping a technologicalinnovation (innovation (CallonCallon & Law, 1987).& Law, 1987).

yy CallonCallon & Law also question how the& Law also question how the

boundaries between social elementsboundaries between social elements

economics, political, etcetera, are determinedeconomics, political, etcetera, are determined

and defined.and defined.

yy CallonCallon & Law (Actor Network Theory) view& Law (Actor Network Theory) view

technology and social movement as working intechnology and social movement as working in

tandemtandem one effecting change in the other untilone effecting change in the other until

stabilization ( or failure) occurs.stabilization ( or failure) occurs.


21/30

Interpretive Flexibility, Relevant Social Groups, Stabilization, Controversies,Interpretive Flexibility, Relevant Social Groups, Stabilization, Controversies,

ClosureClosure


22/30

yy Relevant Social GroupsRelevant Social Groups

yy Who are the most influential social groups thatWho are the most influential social groups that

could be interested in an innovation?could be interested in an innovation?

yy ResearchersResearchers

yy HousewivesHousewives

yy ChildrenChildren

yy BusinessBusiness

yy Film makersFilm makers

yy GovernmentGovernment

yy Utility CompaniesUtility Companies


23/30

yy Interpretive FlexibilityInterpretive Flexibility

yy How to the relevant social groups ascribeHow to the relevant social groups ascribe

meaning to an innovation.meaning to an innovation.

yy What does an innovation mean to:What does an innovation mean to:yy A businessmanA businessman

yy A housewifeA housewife

yy A researcherA researcher

yy A researcherA researcher


24/30

yy ControversiesControversies

yy Has another innovation similar to the one justHas another innovation similar to the one just

diffused.diffused.yy Among the relevant social groupsAmong the relevant social groups who has the mostwho has the most

powerpower influence.influence.

yy Variables such as economic factors, political factors,Variables such as economic factors, political factors,business advantages come to the fore.business advantages come to the fore.

yyVehement debates take place among the relevant socialVehement debates take place among the relevant socialgroupsgroups the group that have the most to gainthe group that have the most to gain or lose.or lose.

yy Proposed strategies for resolving a controversy mayProposed strategies for resolving a controversy mayinvolve:involve:

yy Redesigning to meet specs. Of stakeholders.Redesigning to meet specs. Of stakeholders.

yy Strong marketing campaignsStrong marketing campaigns some more truthful than otherssome more truthful than others


25/30


26/30

yy GoalsGoals

yy Current TheoriesCurrent Theories

yy Problem Solving StrategiesProblem Solving Strategies how does anhow does aninnovator or business market theirinnovator or business market their

technology most effectively.technology most effectively.

yy Educational UseEducational Use

yy SafetySafety

yy ConvenienceConvenience


27/30

StabilizationStabilization

One social group overcomes anotherOne social group overcomes another thethe

innovation of this group has been sociallyinnovation of this group has been sociallyconstructed through socially relevant groups,constructed through socially relevant groups,

controversy, and technical framework.controversy, and technical framework.


28/30

yy The development of the BicycleThe development of the Bicycle

yyBakeliteBakelite

yy Florescent LampsFlorescent Lamps


29/30

yy Does not describe how people assemble.Does not describe how people assemble.

yy

Does not account for some revolutionaryDoes not account for some revolutionarydiscoveriesdiscoveries Copernicus.Copernicus.


30/30

yy Silvias One to One ComputingSilvias One to One Computing DoesDoes

school acculturation proceed through similarschool acculturation proceed through similarinterplay.interplay.

yy How is technology decided in a school?How is technology decided in a school?

yy At what point in smart phone developmentAt what point in smart phone developmentdid Applesdid Apples iPhoneiPhone capture the market.capture the market.

Documents

Social Construction of Tech