Abstract

POLLI, Gislei Mocelin  and  WACHELKE, João. Confirmation of social representation centrality through the graphical analysis of the characterization questionnaire. Temas psicol. [online]. 2013, vol.21, n.1, pp. 97-104. ISSN 1413-389X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.9788/TP2013.1-07.

The structural approach on social representations indicates the identification of which elements are central or peripheral as important steps for the characterization of social representations. Central elements are important for the representation and define its identity, whereas the peripheral elements are more particular and flexible. The paper presents an application example of the characterization questionnaire, a technique to confirm the structural status of elements that are identified previously with exploratory analyses such as the prototypical analysis of free evocations. The characterization questionnaire is based on the evaluations of research participants of how characteristic the elements of a social representation are in relationship with its object. Upon graphically assessing the distribution of responses it is possible to conclude on the centrality of such elements when there is a concentration of responses indicating a strong connection. After presenting the basic characteristics of the technique, an empirical example is provided in a study about the social representation of the environment.

Keywords : Social representations; structural approach; characterization questionnaire; central core.

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