Abstract
M.A.
This study explores social constructionism as a
paradigm for looking at emotional pain. Social
constructionism has its philosophical underpinnings in
postmodernism.
In this mini-dissertation pre-modern, modern and
postmodern epistemological assumptions are explored.
Various views of postmodernism, both its origin and its
effect on other spheres are reflected upon.
The impact of postmodernism on psychology is explored
by tracking the path of cybernetics, constructivism and
finally social constructionism.
The way emotions and emotional pain is seen through
history is explored. By using social constructionism as
a paradigm, the meaning making around emotional pain
provides another lens for researchers and therapists in
dealing with emotional pain.