1. Social Construction of Reality
Peter Berger and Thomas Luckman
Theory that assumes that understanding, significance and meaning are created not within the individual, but in coordination with other human beings.
Human beings rationalize their experiences by creating a model of the social world and how it works.
Language is the essential system to help us establish that reality.
What we believe is real is shaped by our social interactions and our life experiences with other people.

2. Social Construction of Reality
According to Berger and Luckman Berger and Luckman, society is constructed through three stages:
Externalization- we create cultural products (values, beliefs, material products) through social interaction.  These products become external to those who have produced them.
Objectivation- is when products created in the first stage appear to take on a reality of their own, becoming independent of those who created them.
Internalization- we learn the supposedly "objective facts" about the cultural products that have been created.  This occurs primarily through socialization, the process of social interaction in which one learns the ways of society.

3. Social Construction of Situations
Thomas Theorem ( W. I. Thomas)
“If a person perceives a situation as real, it is real in its consequences”
Our behavior depends on our subjective interpretation of reality.
Definition of a Situation
The idea that people create of what is expected of them and others in a given situation.

4. Social Construction of Reality
Definition of a Situation (3 parts to it)
Framing: understanding the context of the situation.
Roles: understanding the appropriate identities for the situation
Leeway: understanding how much leeway there is to enact each role. There are limits to the identity a person can claim
If parties disagree about the definition of the situation, conflict arises.

5. Social Construction of Heroes
Hero – someone admired by his/her achievement, courage, skill, dedication or integrity.
Ancient Greeks definition of hero
“person descended from goals on one side of the family, and from a mortal on the other side”

6. Hero’s Journey (a.k.a. Monomyth)
A Hero's Journey
Joseph Campbell’s theory that many narratives from around the world share a similar pattern revolving around the life of a hero.
His book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” was published in 1949

7. Functions of Heroes Reflect cultural ideals and values.
Become representatives or symbols of a culture
Maintain a society’s cultural beliefs, such as hard work or achievement
Serve as agents of social control and influence people

8. Functions of Heroes
Help provide social integration by bringing disparate groups of society together
Serve as source of identity and role models for youth
Heroes of community association are heroes at a regional level with following in their community

9. Categories of Heroes The Winner Skilled Performers
Emphasis on outcome and not on the process or necessarily how skillful they are. (Ex. Eli Manning, Robert Horry)
Skilled Performers
Give off an aura of invincibility and their pressence scares opponents.

10. Categories of Heroes Hero of Social Acceptability
Upholds values of society; transcends the sport; become role models.
Group Servant
Does what’s best for the team; sacrifices individual wants or stats.
Risk Taker
Inclined to place themselves in danger. (Ex. Wide receiver who crosses through the middle of the field)

11. Categories of Heroes Reluctant Hero
Leads by example or other indirect methods of leadership.
Charismatic Hero
Possesses unique personality qualities. Might not be the most talented but leads team.
Anti-Hero
Doesn’t demonstrate desired values yet still has a following.