GS 336 Work and Society

Lecture 20
 5: TECHNOLOGY, SOCIETY AND WORK

Topic : Social Constructivism/Determinism

Objectives:
 Social Construction of Technology (SCOT): Introduction

 Social Construction of Technology: Assumptions

 Social Construction of Technology: Importance

 Social Construction of Technology: Example

 The central construct of SCOT: Process

Social Construction of Technology (SCOT):
Introduction
• The Social Construction of Technology = Bijker and Pinch
in1984.
• SCOT holds that people attach meanings or interpretations
to objects/artifacts.
• Technology does not determine human action, but human
action shapes technology. For example how many ways we
use to communicate or catch a fish.
• Technologies prosper or fail because of a range of diverse
interpretations and variables – constraining or driving
factors.
Social Construction of Technology (SCOT)

• Both technical processes and social

processes shape technological
development.
• Thus, what we think… as ‘technology’ is
produced through many factors, including:
– Behaviors of individuals and groups
– Economy and markets
– Consumer needs and wants

SCOT may be defined as an interactive sociotechnical

process that shapes all forms of technology.
 Social Construction of Technology (SCOT)
It assumed that:

• Science/technology progresses due to social forces – this includes

all social pressures – economic, political, psychological influences.

• Social groups attach meanings to specific scientific endeavors,

innovations, or related variables – if these meanings are accepted
by relevant social groups – science progresses.

• The trajectory of technology, like science, does not depend on its

independent, exogenous nature.

• Technology is thus socially constructed – its progress or

movement depends on many social factors and relevant social
groups.
 Why SCOT? Importance
• Technologies or innovations – like the wheel,
the printing press, the bicycle, the assembly
line, computers – all shape and organize the
world and our lives.
• Individuals – you and me – decide what
technologies or parts of a technology are
useful, profitable, or comfortable – meaningful.
• Groups – assemblies of individuals – form,
each characterized by particular variables,
each group holding a stake in a technology.
 Why SCOT? Importance
• Relevant groups or “stakeholders” include scientists,
technologists, economists, politicians, entrepreneurs, you,
and me.
• Each stakeholder characterizes innovations with variant
problems and solutions—Stakeholders interpret the
innovations differently.
 One innovation may be a solution – but, also have a bug.
If the “bug” or problem isn’t resolved, the innovation will
fail – relevant social groups – or stakeholders will not buy
in.
• In resolving the problems – accepted more or less by
significant groups -- the social has shaped the technical.
Hence, sociotechnical.
 Social Determinism: Example
• Bijker and Pinch use the example of the plastic
Bakelite to illustrate their idea of social forces in
shaping technology.
• Bakelite: an early plastic, started out as an artificial
substitute for varnish.
• It was not a market success.
• Accidental dumping of materials that make up
Bakelite, proved that the material could be molded
into plastics.
• The innovation was redirected for use as plastic and
all of its applications.
• The scientist who developed Bakelite did not envision
its use as a plastic and the many ways plastic is
used.
 Central Constructs of SCOT
1. Interpretive Flexibility:
Any object can mean different things to different relevant groups.

2. Relevant Social Groups: Who are the most influential social

groups that could be interested in an innovation?
• Researchers
• Housewives
• Children
• Business
• Film makers
• Government
• Utility Companies
3. Controversies
• If another innovation is similar to the one just diffused:
– Among the relevant social groups – who has the most
power – influence (Strong marketing and
advertisements).
– Variables such as economic factors, political factors,
business advantages come to the front.
– Heated debates take place among the relevant social
groups – groups that have the most to gain – or lose.
– Proposed strategies for resolving a controversy may
involve:
• Redesigning to meet specs of stakeholders.
• Strong marketing campaigns – some more truthful
than others
4. Technological Frames
Cognitive, social and technical elements that guide or constrain
meanings and behaviors relevant to an artifact. Actors have
different degrees of inclusion in a frame. It includes:
• Goals
• Current Theories
• Problem Solving Strategies – how does an
innovator or business market their technology most
effectively.
• Educational Use
• Safety
• Convenience
 4. Stabilization

• The development of the artifact within one

relevant social group. This happens in
degrees.

• One social group overcomes another – the

innovation of this group has been “socially
constructed” through socially relevant
groups, controversy and technical
frameworks.

• Over time, negotiations lead to

convergence.

• Examples

• The development of the Bicycle

• Bakelite
6. Closure

• Closure is a social process in which the

technological artifact reaches a final,
consensual form.

• When multiple interpretations cease to exist.

Interpretive flexibility diminishes.
THANK YOU!

Questions?