Kenneth Burke develops the terministic screen in his book of essays called Language as Symbolic Action in 1966.
He defines the concept as "a screen composed of terms through which humans perceive the world, and that direct attention away from some interpretations and toward others".
[1] Burke offers the metaphor to explain why people interpret messages differently, based on the construction of symbols, meanings, and, therefore, reality.
[2] Words convey a particular meaning, conjuring images and ideas that induce support toward beliefs or opinions.
[8] "Social constructionism is a metaphor that attempts to capture the way Burke viewed the nature of the world and the function of language therein."
Using the word "baby" versus "fetus" defines reality differently (scientistic) and guides people to act in a certain way (dramatistic) solely based on term selection that may be unconscious.
[11][clarification needed][12] According to Burke, individuals create terministic screens consciously and unconsciously, as they perceive the world and share perspectives.
Communication scholar Paul Stob contends that the language we use is thus not just a direct reflection of our intelligence, but also of perception and culture.