What is the social construction of technology?

jean_patterson

The social construction of technology (SCOT) is a theory within the social sciences that examines the relationships between technology, society and culture. The theory was originally proposed by sociologist of science Trevor Pinch and sociologist Wiebe Bijker in their 1987 book The Social Construction of Facts and Artifacts: Or How the Sociology of Science and the Sociology of Technology Might Benefit Each Other. SCOT suggests that technology does not determine social change, but that social groups construct technology to serve their own purposes. In other words, technology is not neutral; it is shaped by the values, beliefs and preferences of those who design and use it. SCOT has been used to study a wide range of technologies, from medical devices to information technology. The theory has been critiqued for its focus on the agency of actors, rather than on the structures that constrain or enable their actions.

whitefish

The social construction of technology is a theory that looks at how social factors shape technology and its use. This includes looking at how people use technology to create and maintain social relationships, how technology shapes social interactions, and how it is used to create and maintain social power.

browncat947

Technologies are not inherently good or bad, but their social and political implications vary widely. The social construction of technology (SCOT) is a framework for analyzing the effects of social, political, and economic influences on the development and adoption of technology.

SCOT is often used to analyze the ways in which power and control are exerted over technology and its users. It can be used to examine how technologies are used to oppress or empower groups within society. For example, the SCOT framework was used to examine the role of social media in the Arab Spring uprisings.

The SCOT framework is also used to study the impact of technology on society more generally. For example, SCOT has been used to study the impact of the automobile on American society.