Social Construction of Tech
-
Upload
florence-margaret-paisey -
Category
Documents
-
view
225 -
download
0
Transcript of Social Construction of Tech
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
1/30
Florence PaiseyFlorence Paisey
April 2011April 2011
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
3/30
The Theory of the Social Construction ofTechnologyThe Theory of the Social Construction ofTechnology
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
5/30
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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..
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
8/30
Sociology ofTechnology and Science (STS)Sociology ofTechnology and Science (STS)
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
12/30
Pioneering Ideas in the Sociology ofTechnologyPioneering Ideas in the Sociology ofTechnology
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
15/30
The Sociology of Science and the Sociology ofTechnologyThe Sociology of Science and the Sociology ofTechnology
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
18/30
How do Social Groups Form?How do Social Groups Form?
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
21/30
Interpretive Flexibility, Relevant Social Groups, Stabilization, Controversies,Interpretive Flexibility, Relevant Social Groups, Stabilization, Controversies,
ClosureClosure
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
25/30
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
28/30
yy The development of the BicycleThe development of the Bicycle
yyBakeliteBakelite
yy Florescent LampsFlorescent Lamps
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.
-
8/3/2019 Social Construction of Tech
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.