Social representations and their connection with science communication

Abstract

The present work has as fundamental purpose to relate how in contemporary societies the formation of social representations of science have as a fundamental background the processes of social communication. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the different media have a considerable influence on the formation of social representations of science that most people have. In order to analyze how the previous concepts are intertwined, three closely related sections are included, made up, first, of a brief approach to the main concepts that the theory of social representations alludes to; a second part refers to some processes of social communication in the construction of social representations, and a last section deals with social representations in the communication processes of science. In this way, the conclusion is reached that science is constructed and socially represented in people through what circulates through our daily interactions, as well as through what we see, hear and interact with the media, among other types of sources such as formal (or academic) and informal one (family, friends, partner, etc.).