social construct

A social construct is a concept with no basis in physical reality, but which exists and has effects in the world because groups of people believe in it. monetary value is a classic example: we all know that the paper and ink that comprise a dollar bill are not inherently valuable, but because large groups of people and institutions like drugstores will accept that dollar in trade for valuable goods (like, say, a candy bar), a dollar bill has monetary value within that social context.