Implications of the theoretical framework of the imaginary on Social Psychology

Abstract

This study aims at two of the main ideas about the mechanisms involved in the meaningful construction of the world. Even though they are multidisciplinary, these two perspectives are fundamentally born from two different disciplines: the Social Representation Theory (TRS), based on psychology, and the Theoretical Framework of the Imaginary, mainly based on Anthropology and Philosophy. The study will address TRS firstly and, subsequently, the approaches to Theoretical Framework of the Imaginary from different disciplines, in order to identify the contributions offered by the latter to Social Psychology that complement those of TRS. Thereby, this study aims at delivering a theoretical analysis of the TRS and of the Theoretical Framework of the Imaginary and at specifying the contributions and implications of the Theory of the Imaginary to Social Psychology (and, specifically, to Cultural Psychology) in order to see how the social imaginary concept includes and transcends the social representation (RS) concept. The ontological, epistemological, methodological and health implications of using the Theoretical Framework of the Imaginary in cultural psychology will be considered. In this regard, this concept adoption by psychology will be proposed, since it is essential for its explanatory abilities, understanding, interpretation and criticism.