Theoretical Framework

Theoretical framework directs the researcher that which theory of mass communication is
appropriate for the relevant topic. Certain theory assists the researcher to analyze, inspect and
explore the specific study. The major aim to use theoretical framework is to support the concept
and main notion of the researcher with earlier practicing theories. Social construction of reality is
the purposed theory for this study.

Numerous sociologists have contemplated the idea of everyday reality for centuries. It is
normally recognized that the reality is diverse and different for every single member of the
society. Each and every individual made their reality through their own lens, on the basis of their
life experience training and their interaction with other individuals of the society.

Theory of social construction of reality (2006) discusses explores the manner in which
individuals stage their selves to other individuals and society. Over all this reality is based upon
our interactions with other and our life experiences. Principally, in what ways an individual is
brought up and on what basic beliefs they are raised directly shapes how they are presenting
themselves, in what ways they are going to perceive others and vice versa. This theory
emphasize that ones’ perception of reality is influenced by his belief, backgrounds, upbringings
and manner of communication through which they have been.

This theory negates the notion that aspects in our own social world are fake. But in real, they are
self-constructions that we often don’t take seriously. They have been evolved from our own
thoughts. The social construction of reality is portion of the socialization procedure itself
(Berger, 1967). We learn through our socialization process that what things are going to be real,
significant, valued and essential for us. (Piaget, 1954).

Several sociologists believe that individuals learn about their roles through the socialization
process e.g. the persona of characters similar to them or their surrounding members. If putting
the matter another way, it could be said that people get knowledge about their roles through outer
encounters that how a character like them perform a specific task. An individual got an idea from
this standpoint that how these roles are being developed. (May, 2011). Berger and Luckman
(1991) discussed this theory as how the creation of social world is done. Additionally, this theory
(2009) focuses on the study that individuals justify their experience by creating models of the
social world and sharing them through language. So, this theory lays foundation to grasp the
notion “social construction of gender representation” which in turn will be helpful in
understanding the gender stereotypes.

Reality is complex phenomenon as it is reliant on what is adequate and what is inexcusable in

that specific society. Social communications or encounters are comprised of approval and
refusing different aspects. Leeds-Hurwitz (2009) argued that in the process of creation of reality,
individuals’ thoughts are not solely responsible for ultimate product. Rather numerous factors
play e psychic-social and natural-historical experiences role in the creation of their own reality.

Social constructions are complexly systematic and relational rather just being relative. They
might be comparative, but merely to antique and natural things at the exact moment (Pfohl,
2008). These constructions form people’s perceptions and stories about certain things. Likewise,
Hacking (1999) also argued that it is improper to consider social construction as relative because
perception of reality is socially constructed, it doesn’t exist in actual. This theory can’t compete
with the troubles and complexities of real world. Social reality is constructed signifies that
reality is permanently reliant upon the psychic-social and natural-historical experiences in which
selective knowledge of the world is buildup (Holstein & Gubrium, 2008).

Reality is socially constructed and society is rasped in its duality of objective and a subjective
reality (Eberle, 1992). Davis and Robinson (1989) added that any event or occurrence in a
society can be perceived from different aspects by the viewers. These perceptions are shaped by
objective and subjective reality.

Objective Reality

Social construction of Reality (1966) defined objective reality as “society is human product
where human is social product and society depicts the social reality” (p.61). In other words, it is
said to be predetermined trail and individuals are obligated to stay on it. This standpoint also
connotes that individuals are constrained in terms of their skills to do certain action as objective
reality has already establish the standard. The objective reality is made up by societal acts and it
seems to be oblivion from individual (Eberle, 1992)
According to this viewpoint individuals are unable to create identity or individuality opposed to
what has already been created according to what is believed to be natural. This theory connects
with characters’ attributes that were examined through the drama.

Institutionalization

Institutionalization happens when significant conducts or action developed as “routinized and

habitual.” It is developed from rituals and habitualization. It is disseminated by the means of
collective observation. Later, agreed on common understanding of the way of performing daily
routine things (pp.53-57).

Habitualization is defined as any act that is repeated commonly so and more that It converts into
a prototype of living which is then apprehended by its actors as a pattern. (Bancroft & Rogers,
2010). Most of the human activities are habitualized. It also suggests that the actions might be
done often in the exact way in future with same economical determination (pp. 59-61).
Institutionalization is based upon habitualization which is led by social world. Ashmore (2009)
concludes that human being is world-open. While institutes are locked, because they
communicate one world of meaning as encompassing and shuts out other worlds for individual.

Legitimation

In legitimation, meaning is attached to certain acts and doings on moral basis that will explain
and justify it. It is defined as second-order knowledge that defends and clarifies and typically
answers “Why” questions. Berger and Luckman (1991) said legitimation may include complex
manners of knowledge it or may be opposite i.e. simple. Its foremost function is to directly
support “First-order” objectivations that have already been institutionalized and make it
objectively obtainable and subjectively reasonable (weber, 1994). It is also characterized by
‘Integration’.

It is usually necessitated when objectivation of institutional order is required to transfer to new

generation. The harmony of biography and history is broken thus institutions can no longer
maintained by habitualization. Thus, in order to maintain this chain, legitimation provides
justification and explanation of the salient. So, it implies knowledge to justify the institutional
order rather than merely providing values.
Subjective Reality

Subjective reality is defined as when an individual learns an action or performance over a period
of a time. It’s done through observation and examination of surrounding. To continue subjective
reality efficiently, the exchange of information process must be repeated and constant (Berger &
Luckman, 1966).

The understanding of performing certain tasks occurs through 2 ways of socialization i.e.
Primary and secondary.

Primary Socialization.

Primary socialization is said to be first and foremost socialization. For a child, it’s the first
socialization of his childhood when he classifies the individual as a member of society (p. 130).
Berger and Luckman (1991) defined primary socialization as part of learning to write one’s
name. during this process dissimilarity and differences has been seen among children. As what
one child can do that other is not capable of doing it. His/her capabilities to do a certain task in
contrast of another child becomes an indicator that how he actually perceives the world.

Primary socialization involves emotive aspect and isn’t dubious as it specifically occurs as a
child. Therefore, in comparison to secondary socialization, it is less flexible and less prone to
change (Schutz, 1967). Secondary socialization stems from primary socialization. Stark (2003)
said that all the knowledge and information that a child learn in his/her childhood as primary
socialization is the most significant part of an individual’s life. Due to intense emotional
attachment, learning process in primary socialization is difficult (Portmann, 1961).

Secondary Socialization

It includes acquiring complex knowledge of culture and subcultures. It refers to the

internalization of institutional “Sub-Worlds” (p. 158). An individual learns how a culture works
in secondary socialization. It doesn’t involve any emotional drive as it doesn’t take place at such
young age. Its done training and certain traditional customs. Its more convenient than primary
socialization as individuals are bring trained and they are attained to role-specific information
rather than learning by themselves.

Patowary’s Theory
Patowary (2015) in his paper “Media and Its Role Towards Women: A Feminist Perspective”
described feminine traits and non-feminine traits.

Stereotypical Feminine Traits

Physically Weak, Dependent, Emotional, Submissive, Nurturing-Helpful, Afraid-Fearful,

Troublesome, Follower, Victim, Attractive, asks for or accepts advice, Ashamed.

Stereotypical Non-Feminine Traits

Physically Strong, Assertive, Unemotional, Selfish/self-serving, hero-Brave-Inspires Fear,

Problem Solver, Leader, Perpetrator, Career-oriented, gives advice, proud.

Overall, the social construction of reality perspective allows the individual to understand how
social world is constructed. This opens one’s understanding of how a good woman and bad
woman has been portrayed in Pakistani television series. This theory will connect with the
characters’ role that will be examined through films.

Taken together, these researches demonstrate the thought-provoking working that has been
already done in the area of gender stereotyping in number of Pakistani drama serials. social of
reality theory has been employed to analyze the portrayal of good woman and bad woman in
drama serials. Moreover, the theory provides an insight that how the gender roles are dramatized
in media and constructs reality about the mentioned 2 categories. However, lesser studies have
examined that how a woman is portrayed good and bad specifically. Therefore, this study
contributed towards decreasing literature gap for Pakistani Television series; to illustrate that
how different patterns of feminist and non-feminist stereotypes are present in drama serials.