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

Sonia Brondi (), Federico Neresini and Andrea Sciandra
Additional contact information
Sonia Brondi: Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Federico Neresini: University of Padova
Andrea Sciandra: University of Padova

Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, 2025, vol. 59, issue 1, No 33, 783-811

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Science; Free associations; Social representations; Attitude (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11135-024-01961-3 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:59:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11135-024-01961-3

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/economics/journal/11135

DOI: 10.1007/s11135-024-01961-3

Access Statistics for this article

Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology is currently edited by Vittorio Capecchi

More articles in Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().