Kenneth J. Gergen 
An Invitation to Social Construction 
Co-Creating the Future

This fully updated fourth edition of Gergen’s 
An Invitation to Social Construction introduces you to a key theoretical movement in contemporary social science through a wide range of multidisciplinary examples. 



The fourth edition includes: 

• wider consideration of contemporary global challenges,

• increased coverage of media, digital culture, and relevant political issues,

• updated real-world examples of social constructionist theory in action, in research, education, therapy, organizations, and peace building. 

This book brings together complex theories that inform and critically build upon social constructionism, such as narratology, deconstruction, dialogism, positivism, and post-structuralism, in a way that is accessible for students and researchers alike. It is a vital resource for those studying social psychology and critical social psychology who are looking for a comprehensive guide to one of the core topics in the field.




Kenneth J Gergen is Senior Research Professor in Psychology at Swarthmore College, and the President of the Taos Institute.

Table of Content

Chapter 1: Social Construction and Plural Worlds

Chapter 2: The Language We Live By

Chapter 3: Horizons of Human Inquiry

Chapter 4: The Relational Turn

Chapter 5: Dialogue: Conflict and Transformation

Chapter 6: Education: The Future is Now

Chapter 7: The Helping Professions: Co-Construction in Action

Chapter 8: Co-Creating in Organizations and Governance

Chapter 9: Social Construction: Questions and Consequences

About the author

Kenneth J. Gergen is a Senior Research Professor in Psychology at Swarthmore College, and the President of the Taos Institute. He is internationally known for his contributions to social constructionist theory, technology and cultural change, the self, aging, education, and relational theory and practices. His major writings include, Realities and Relationships: Soundings in Social Construction, The Saturated Self: Dilemmas of Identity in Contemporary Life, and Relational Being: Beyond Self and Community. His most recent work Beyond the Tyranny of Testing: Relational Evaluation in Education (with Scherto Gill) offers a relational constructionist alternative to the destructive practices of testing and grading in education. Gergen lectures throughout the world, and has received numerous awards for his work, including honorary degrees in both the U.S. and Europe.