The fundamental needs underlying social representations

Abstract

Abstract Some theories dealing with the social construction of reality refer to epistemic and affiliative needs. These latter are considered as two fundamental human motives underlying such construction processes. The Social Representations Theory refers instead to more specific functions. Yet, the literature provides numerous evidences of the fulfillment of these two core needs by social representations. The present contribution exposes some of these evidences in order to show the anchoring of the Social Representations Theory in epistemic and affiliative human needs. This broader perspective provides stronger foundations to this theory and a clearer view of this one. Implications for the evolutionary perspective of SRs and on the epistemological plan are also discussed. Moreover it encourages to take a closer look at the relationships with other theories assuming these same foundations, and militates for the construction of bridges with them on theoretical and methodological plans.