Abstract:

 

D. Capozza, R. Falvo, E. Robusto & A. Orlando (2003).
Beliefs about Internet: Methods of Elicitation and Measurement
Papers on Social Representations, 12, pages 1.1-1.14
[http://www.psr.jku.at/]

 

In this study new methods are proposed to elicit and measure the
components of a social representation. To elicit the representation field –
the structure of the beliefs relative to the object – we applied the laddering
technique, devised by Bagozzi and Edwards (1998) to measure cognitive
schemas. The use of indices, proposed in network literature (see, e.g.,
Faust & Wasserman, 1992), allowed us to measure salient features of the
cognitive structure (the level of Abstractness, Prestige and Centrality for
the elements). We also proposed a method, based on factor analysis of the
individual implication matrices, to define whether the representation i s
shared in the examined group. Finally, multiple regression was applied to
test the dependence of attitude on the elements of the representation field.
As an object of representation the use of Internet was considered.