What is social representation theory in psychology?

The concept of social representation (SR) was developed by Serge Moscovici in 1961 as a social psychological approach articulating individual thinking and feeling with collective interaction and communication. SRs are conceived as symbolic forms that come about through interpersonal and media communication.

What is the social representations approach?

Social representations are a system of values, ideas, metaphors, beliefs, and practices that serve to establish social order, orient participants and enable communication among the members of groups and communities.

What are social representations Durkheim?

The roots of the concept of social representations can be found in Durkheim’s concept of collective representations. While the central elements are stable and define the core of a representation, the peripheral elements are beliefs and ideas that can be adapted in different contexts and by different social milieus.

How are social representations formed?

In the case of social representation, the structure is formed by simple ideas, basic cognitive units of meaning that are called cognems (Codol, 1969) or elements. A social representation is a set of cognems that refer to a social object and form an integrated knowledge structure shared by a group.

How did Serge Moscovici propose the theory of social representations?

Serge Moscovici proposed the theory of social representations Social representations are formed spontaneously through personal experiences, knowledge of the world and information obtained through culture, education and communication (including new technologies), among other sources.

What did Serge Moscovici do for a living?

Serge Moscovici (1925-2014) was a French social psychologist, known for his contributions to the theories about social representations. His perspective and theoretical approach have notably influenced almost every social sciences discipline, especially anthropology and sociology. He received numerous commemorations and awards throughout his life.

Who is the founder of social representation theory?

Learn more As heir to a strong French sociological tradition, the theory of social representations, elaborated by Serge Moscovici in the beginning of the 1960s, has become one of the major theories in social psychology.

When did Serge Moscovici become mayor of Paris?

In the late 1960s, Moscovici became involved in green politics and campaigned to become Mayor of Paris. He holds honorary doctorates from several universities, and in 2003 he received the Balzan Prize for Social Psychology. For more about his life, see his 1997 autobiography “Chronique des années égarées” (Chronicle of the Mislaid Years).