Problems can be defined and depicted in many different ways, depending on the goals of the
proponent of the particular depiction of a problem and the nature of the problem and the political
debate. The process of defining problems and of selling a broad population on this definition, is
called social construction. Social construction refers to the ways in which we as a society and the
various contending interests within it structure and tell the stories about how problems come to be
the way they are. A group that can create and promote the most effective depiction of an issue has
an advantage in the battle over what, if anything, will be done about a problem.