English

Noun

constructionism ‎(plural constructionisms)

1. (law) A strict interpretation of the actual words and phrases used in law, rather than to any underlying intent
2. (social sciences) The idea that people learn about, or perceive the world by constructing mental models
   • 1997, Derek Edwards, Discourse and Cognition, page 51:

     But is it one constructionism in many guises, or a variety of quite different constructionisms, or merely old issues dressed up in new jargon,

Related terms

• constructionist
• constructivism

Derived terms

• social constructionism
• strict constructionism

See also

• originalism
• textualism

Anagrams

• misconstruction