Is there a place for individual subjectivity within a social constructionist epistemology?

Abstract

The epistemological turn towards social constructionism has become well established within the field of family systemic therapy. Social constructionism has provided therapists with a theoretical rationale for the concentration upon the social context within which individuals and families live their lives. This is a philosophical position that pushes to the margins the positivist premise that individuals have fixed and measurable personalities in favour of a discourse which proposes that the person is encountered differently within different social contexts. Prompted by the growing interest in systemic practice with individuals and by the rediscovery of the psychoanalytic canon within family therapy literature, the adequacy of this position is examined and an attempt is made to open up a space within social constructionist discourse for a theory of individual subjectivity. Findings from a research project are the starting point for this venture. These findings are understood through the lens of psychoanalytic theory, with particular reference to the work of Jacques Lacan.

‘The challenges of sharing information when a young person is experiencing severe emotional difficulties’: implications for schools and CAMHS

“…Macrosocial constructionism forms the basis of many studies exploring children's experiences (Fraser, Lewis, Ding, Kellett, & Robinson, ). This is because there is a widely held viewpoint that childhood, and indeed parenthood, are social constructed phenomena and are subject to change depending on the knowledge and discourse of the day (Greig, Taylor, & MacKay, ; Roy‐Chowdhury, ).…”

Reminders of Heteronormativity: Gay Adoptive Fathers Navigating Uninvited Social Interactions

“…At the same time, a gay father choosing not to explain his relationship with his partner and child can be an act of resistance against a societal imperative that asks those who do not fit in a heterosexual order to justify themselves. Choosing to be silent in a social interaction can thus be an act of exerting power (Roy‐Chowdhury, ).…”

The self beyond words: comment on ‘Is there a place for individual subjectivity within a social constructionist epistemology’

“… Roy‐Chowdhury (2010) is on a quest to reclaim the subject in constructionist practice, specifically therapeutic practice. His argument rests on the claim that there is no subject, no self, no individual outside language in social construction.…”

“…He wants to ‘shed some light upon the person revealed in the talk’ (Roy‐Chowdhury, 2010, p. 345). In his attempt to reclaim the subject, the author makes the (by now) familiar argument that all cannot be reduced to discourse.…”