Epidemiology of representations, social representations and narratives

Abstract

The paper suggest an integration between naturalistic explanation of cultural phenomena (Dowkins 1976, 1998; Pleh 2003; Sperber 1985, 1990, 1996), which are based on causal laws in dissemination of information and social representations theory (Moscovici 1961, 1984, 2000), which is primarily interested in social dynamics of evolving and upholding representations in human groups. It argues that such an integration would lead to a better understanding of both the evolved human psychological architecture as well as cultural and social phenomena. The twin concepts of identity and narrative are suggested to bridge the gap between the two fields.