Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
Passage I
Constructivist, constructivism, interpretivist, and interpretivism are terms that routinely appear in the lexicon of social science methodologists and philosophers. Yet, their particular meanings are shaped by the intent of their users. As general descriptors for a loosely coupled family of methodological and philosophical persuasions, these terms are best regarded as sensitizing concepts. They steer the interested reader in the general direction of where instances of a particular kind of inquiry can be found. However, they 'merely suggest directions along which to look' rather than 'provide descriptions of what to see'.
Proponents of these persuasions share the goal of understanding the complex world of lived experience from the point of view of those who live it. This goal is variously spoken of as an abiding concern for the life world, for the emic point of view, for understanding meaning, for grasping the actor's definition of a situation, for Verstehen. The world of lived reality and situation-specific meanings that constitute the general object of investigation is thought to be constructed by social actors. That, particular actors, in particular places, at particular times, fashion meaning out of events and phenomena through prolonged, complex processes of social interaction involving history, language, and action.
The constructivist or interpretivist believes that to understand this world of meaning one must interpret it. The inquirer must elucidate the process of meaning construction and clarify what and how meanings are embodied in the language and actions of social actors. To prepare an interpretation is itself to construct a reading of these meanings; it is to offer the reader the inquirer's construction of the constructions of the actors one studies.
Although they share this general framework for human inquiry, constructivist and interpretivist persuasions are unique in the manner in which each answers these questions: What is the purpose and aim of human inquiry (as distinct from inquiry into the physical world)? How can we know about the world of human action?
In the passage, "Verstehen" is mentioned as one of the terms used to describe the goal of understanding the complex world of lived experience from the perspective of those who live it. It specifically refers to grasping the actor's definition of a situation. Therefore, Option D is the correct answer.
Option A: Verstehen is about understanding the meaning from the actor's perspective, not the process itself.
Option B: Verstehen focuses on the subjective understanding of situations from the actor’s viewpoint, not the complexity of lived experience.
Option C: This relates to the construction of meaning in social interactions, but Verstehen is not about the act of creating meaning itself.
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