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What does the word “science” evoke? Social representation of science, evaluative elements, and attitude

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  • Sonia Brondi

    (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice)

  • Federico Neresini

    (University of Padova)

  • Andrea Sciandra

    (University of Padova)

Abstract

This article addresses the issue of science to contribute to the ongoing theoretical-methodological debate in the Social Representations Theory (SRT). It investigates the idea that attitudes are integral to social representations (SRs) and proposes solutions for empirically examining this nested relationship, expanding the technique of free associations in SRT. It examines the SR of science, considering diverse patterns of relationship with it based on literacy, interest, trust, and attitude. The study, utilising a purpose-built questionnaire with a sample of Italians, reveals a somewhat stereotypical SR of science rooted in a traditional view. While predominantly positive, distinct positions emerge in relation to the different patterns of relationship with science. Four patterns emerge, aligning along the dimensions of acceptance (affective-oriented) and commitment (cognitive/behavioural-oriented) and contributing to constructing a multifaceted and nuanced SR of science. The study corroborates the idea that attitude is part of SRs, and methodological developments, particularly assessing associations’ valence, prove effective. The comparison between freely evoked and ranked associations reveals reordering dynamics influenced by patterns of relationships with science. These methodological proposals offer a comprehensive understanding of SRs, allowing for longitudinal reflections on their trajectories and co-construction mechanisms.

Suggested Citation

  • Sonia Brondi & Federico Neresini & Andrea Sciandra, 2025. "What does the word “science” evoke? Social representation of science, evaluative elements, and attitude," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 59(1), pages 783-811, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:59:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11135-024-01961-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-024-01961-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shirley S. Ho & Wenqi Tan, 2023. "Mapping mental models of parents’ risk perceptions of autonomous public transport use by young children: a social representations theory approach," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(9), pages 989-1005, September.
    2. Federico Neresini & Paolo Giardullo & Emanuele Di Buccio & Barbara Morsello & Alberto Cammozzo & Andrea Sciandra & Marco Boscolo, 2023. "When scientific experts come to be media stars: An evolutionary model tested by analysing coronavirus media coverage across Italian newspapers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(4), pages 1-22, April.
    3. Annamaria Silvana Rosa & Laura Arhiri, 2019. "The anthropological and ethnographic approaches to social representations theory: a systematic meta-theoretical analysis of publications based on empirical studies," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 53(6), pages 2933-2955, November.
    4. Ioannis Tsoukalas, 2006. "A Method for Studying Social Representations," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 40(6), pages 959-981, December.
    5. Sonia Brondi & Federico Neresini & Andrea Sciandra, 2022. "The social representation of nanotechnologies and its relationships with those of science and technology: Making familiar the unfamiliar between enthusiasm and caution," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(1), pages 113-137, January.
    6. Maïté Brunel & Céline Launay & Valérie Le Floch & Jacques Py & Nadine Cascino & Méliné Zorapapillan & Gregory Lo Monaco, 2018. "Is the social representation of nanotechnology anchored in that of GMOs?," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(10), pages 1248-1263, October.
    7. Stark, Jennifer & Kogler, Christoph & Gaisbauer, Helmut & Sedmak, Clemens & Kirchler, Erich, 2016. "Differentiating Views of Inheritance: The Free Association Task as a Method to Assess Social Representations of Wealth, Inherit, and Bequeath," Review of Behavioral Economics, now publishers, vol. 3(1), pages 91-111, April.
    8. Jean Louis Tavani & Anthony Piermattéo & Grégory Lo Monaco & Sylvain Delouvée, 2021. "Skepticism and defiance: Assessing credibility and representations of science," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-21, September.
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