Social view of the resource phenomenon

Abstract

The presented article analyses the concepts of a resource and social representations. The description of the structural approach chosen as a model for conducting empirical research is given. In this study, to obtain the characteristics of the concept under study, we used the task of writing as many adjectives as possible that most accurately characterise the concept of RESOURCE. To describe the core and periphery of adults' ideas about resources, we used elements of the prototypical analysis after Pierre Vergès. Taking into account the intersection of two indicators – the average value of the rank of occurrence, as well as the median of the frequency of occurrence of the concept, – it became possible to analyse the structure of the presentation. The study sample consisted of 124 adults. As a result of the study, we can say that the structure of the social concept of the resource is heterogeneous. In the ordinary sense, a resource is associated with material goods, this concept turned out to be most often associated with the concept of a resource. The characteristics of the resource are more stable in terms of the functional purpose and capabilities of the potential used. The characteristics that illustrate the importance of the resource for the individual demonstrate less stability. As a result of the study of social ideas about the concept of a resource, it is considered as a variable phenomenon with a branched typology, characterised by its usefulness and significance for the subject.