Social Constructs: MCAT Sociology Essentials

Social constructs shape how we interact with the world—but they aren’t grounded in physical reality. They're mutual agreements created by societies.

Understanding social constructs is critical for the MCAT, especially in psychology and sociology passages that deal with identity, economics, or globalization.

Let’s break down this key concept with a King of the Curve visual to make it stick!

🧠 What Is a Social Construct?

A social construct is a concept or practice that exists because people in a society agree to behave as if it exists and enforce its rules.

They have no inherent physical reality—they exist only because humans collectively accept them.

📚 High-Yield Examples of Social Constructs

Social Construct	How It’s Created	Example
Race	Grouping people based on skin color and features.	Categories like "Black" or "White."
Money	Collective agreement on the value of paper and coins.	A $100 bill has value because society accepts it.
Countries	Mutual agreement about borders and governance.	The recognition of the United States or France as nations.
Gender	Social expectations about behavior based on biological sex.	Ideas like "men should be strong" or "women should be nurturing."

🔥 MCAT Test Tip

Social constructs are often tested alongside:

• Social interaction topics

• Identity theories (e.g., gender identity)

• Institutions (e.g., legal systems, economies)

Make sure you can identify constructs and explain their formation under exam conditions.

🧠 MCAT-Style Question Example

Question:
On the MCAT, a passage describes the invention of currency and the social practices that led to its wide acceptance. Which of the following best explains this phenomenon?

A. Social facilitation
B. Social constructivism
C. Cognitive dissonance
D. Role strain

✅ Correct Answer: B — The value of money is a social construct, sustained by collective agreement.

✨ Why This Blog Is Timely

Social constructs are foundational to modern sociology and are increasingly emphasized on the MCAT, especially in topics like globalization, race and ethnicity, and gender roles.

For more high-yield psych/soc content, visit:
👉 kingofthecurve.org/studyscience
👉 kingofthecurve.org/pre-med-essentials

✅ Final Thoughts

Social constructs might feel invisible, but they shape societies, identities, and interactions.

King of the Curve makes abstract concepts like these concrete and visual—giving you the best chance to remember and apply them when it counts on exam day.

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