Sheila McNamee addresses the relativistic perspective of social constructionism, clarifying that it is not rampant relativism where "anything goes." Critics of social constructionism believe it is immoral, unethical and allows irresponsible sorts of behaviors or positions within the theory at large. We need to refigure morality and responsibility. We are attentive to our processes of relating and recognize that we are a part of whatever happens but that we can't do this without the other. We create our identities in our relationships, even create our relationships in relation to others. We start with the premise that all meaning arises in relation to others. Sheila redefines conflict through relational lenses. Additionally she elaborates four different discourses from the Relational Responsibility book which she co-authored with Gergen.
Running Time: 27 minutes

Sheila McNamee, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication at the University of New Hampshire. She is also a founding member of the Taos Institute and an editor of Therapy as Social Construction, and co-author of Relational Responsibility: Resources for Sustainable Dialogue. The author of numerous chapters and journal articles on Social Construction, Theory and Practice, and consults internationally.