Concept vs. Construct: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023

A concept is a general idea or understanding, often abstract, while a construct is an idea developed for a specific purpose, especially in social sciences and psychology.

Key Differences

Concept refers to a broad, abstract idea or understanding derived from specific instances or occurrences. Construct, on the other hand, is a more specific idea or theory, often created for use in a particular field such as psychology or sociology, and is not always directly observable.

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Nov 20, 2023

In the realm of thought and understanding, a concept is fundamental and can apply to various fields, representing general ideas or categories. Construct, however, is typically used in the context of theoretical frameworks, particularly in social sciences, to explain complex phenomena.

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Nov 20, 2023

A concept can be as simple as the idea of 'happiness' or as complex as 'democracy,' covering a wide range of understandings. In contrast, a construct like 'self-esteem' or 'social capital' is more specific, often developed and defined within academic research.

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While a concept is often used in everyday language and understanding, encompassing broad ideas, a construct is usually a tool for academic or research purposes, developed to understand and study specific aspects of human behavior or social phenomena.

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Examples of a concept might include basic ideas like 'freedom' or 'beauty,' which have varied interpretations. Constructs, such as 'cognitive dissonance' or 'emotional intelligence,' are more specific, often requiring detailed explanation and context within their respective fields.

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Nov 20, 2023

Comparison Chart

Definition

A general idea or understanding, often abstract

A specific idea or theory, developed for a particular field or purpose

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Usage

Broad, across various fields and everyday language

Specific to theoretical frameworks, mainly in social sciences and psychology

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Observability

Can be directly or indirectly observable

Often theoretical, not directly observable

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Examples

Ideas like 'happiness,' 'democracy'

'Self-esteem,' 'social capital' in academic research

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Purpose

Fundamental understanding, categorization

Study and explanation of specific phenomena

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Concept and Construct Definitions

Concept

A basic understanding or categorization of a phenomenon.

The concept of gravity explains why objects fall to the ground.

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Construct

A theoretical concept specifically created for academic or research purposes.

In psychology, the construct of 'resilience' is often studied to understand coping mechanisms.

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Concept

An abstract principle or notion.

Her artwork is based on the concept of abstract expressionism.

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Construct

An idea or model developed to explain specific aspects of human behavior or social phenomena.

Social construct theory examines how society shapes perceptions and interactions.

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Concept

A general idea or mental representation of something.

The concept of sustainability is crucial in environmental discussions.

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Construct

A non-observable, theoretical entity used in academic disciplines.

Her thesis explored the construct of 'cultural capital' in education.

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Concept

A mental construct representing generalized ideas.

The restaurant's theme was built around the concept of fusion cuisine.

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Construct

An abstract concept formulated for a specific research or theoretical purpose.

The construct of 'organizational culture' is crucial in business studies.

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Concept

An overarching idea that forms the basis of something.

His research introduced a new concept in particle physics.

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Construct

A conceptual tool used in scientific or scholarly inquiry.

The construct of 'emotional intelligence' has become important in workplace dynamics.

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Concept

A general idea or understanding of something

The concept of inertia.

The concept of free will.

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Construct

To form by assembling or combining parts; build.

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Concept

A plan or original idea

The original concept was for a building with 12 floors.

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Construct

To create (an argument or a sentence, for example) by systematically arranging ideas or terms.

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Concept

A unifying idea or theme, especially for a product or service

A new restaurant concept.

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Construct

(Mathematics) To draw (a geometric figure) that meets specific requirements.

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Concept

Having an experimental or strikingly different design, especially to test or demonstrate new features

A concept car.

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Construct

Something formed or constructed from parts.

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Concept

An abstract and general idea; an abstraction.

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Construct

A concept, model, or schematic idea

A theoretical construct of the atom.

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Concept

Understanding retained in the mind, from experience, reasoning and imagination; a generalization (generic, basic form), or abstraction (mental impression), of a particular set of instances or occurrences (specific, though different, recorded manifestations of the concept).

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Construct

A concrete image or idea

"[He] began to shift focus from the haunted constructs of terror in his early work" (Stephen Koch).

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Concept

(generic programming) A description of supported operations on a type, including their syntax and semantics.

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Construct

Something constructed from parts.

The artwork was a construct of wire and tubes.

Loops and conditional statements are constructs in computer programming.

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Concept

To conceive; to dream up

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Construct

A concept or model.

Bohr's theoretical construct of the atom was soon superseded by quantum mechanics.

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Concept

An abstract general conception; a notion; a universal.

The words conception, concept, notion, should be limited to the thought of what can not be represented in the imagination; as, the thought suggested by a general term.

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Construct

(genetics) A segment of nucleic acid, created artificially, for transplantation into a target cell or tissue.

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Concept

An abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

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Construct

(transitive) To build or form (something) by assembling parts.

We constructed the radio from spares.

A wall constructed of random stones.

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Construct

(transitive) To build (a sentence, an argument, etc.) by arranging words or ideas.

A sentence may be constructed with a subject, verb and object.

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Construct

To draw (a geometric figure) by following precise specifications and using geometric tools and techniques.

Construct a circle that touches each vertex of the given triangle.

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Construct

To put together the constituent parts of (something) in their proper place and order; to build; to form; to make; as, to construct an edifice.

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Construct

To devise; to invent; to set in order; to arrange; as, to construct a theory of ethics.

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Construct

Formed by, or relating to, construction, interpretation, or inference.

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Construct

An abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

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Construct

Make by combining materials and parts;

This little pig made his house out of straw

Some eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer

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Construct

Put together out of components or parts;

The company fabricates plastic chairs

They manufacture small toys

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Construct

Draw with suitable instruments and under specified conditions;

Construct an equilateral triangle

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Construct

Create by linking linguistic units;

Construct a sentence

Construct a paragraph

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Construct

Create by organizing and linking ideas, arguments, or concepts;

Construct a proof

Construct an argument

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Construct

Reassemble mentally;

Reconstruct the events of 20 years ago

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Repeatedly Asked Queries

Is a construct always related to science or academia?

Often, especially in social sciences, psychology, and related fields.

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Can a concept be easily understood?

Generally, yes, though some concepts can be abstract or complex.

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Are concepts used in everyday language?

Yes, concepts are common in regular communication and understanding.

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What is a concept?

A general idea or mental representation of something.

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How is a construct defined?

A specific theoretical idea developed for research or academic purposes.

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Can a concept be observable?

Some concepts are directly observable, while others are more abstract.

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Is a concept broader than a construct?

Generally, concepts are broader and more fundamental.

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How are constructs used in psychology?

To explain and study specific behaviors or mental processes.

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Are constructs directly observable?

Constructs are typically theoretical and not directly observable.

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Do concepts vary across cultures?

Yes, interpretations of concepts can vary widely across cultures.

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Is a construct applicable outside academia?

While mainly academic, constructs can inform professional practices.

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What makes a construct different from a general idea?

Its specificity and development for particular theoretical frameworks.

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Can constructs be tested empirically?

Yes, though they often require operationalization in research.

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Can a concept evolve over time?

Yes, the understanding of concepts can change and evolve.

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How is a construct developed?

Through research, theory development, and academic discourse.

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Can a concept apply to physical phenomena?

Yes, concepts can describe both physical and abstract phenomena.

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How do constructs influence research?

They guide the focus, methodology, and interpretation in studies.

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Are concepts inherently theoretical?

They can be, though they also encompass tangible ideas.

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Are constructs static or dynamic?

They can evolve as research and understanding progress.

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Do concepts form the basis of academic theories?

Yes, they often underpin and inform academic theories.

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About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.