When factors of risk perception are an obstacle to risk representation: Earthquakes in Southern France

Introduction. - More and more, researchers are turning to social representations to explore social thinking about risks, but this may not always be the best option. In particular, low to moderate risks possess inherent characteristics that can potentially constitute an obstacle to sociorepresentational processes, such as translating as "zero risk" in the eyes of the general public. Objective. - With this in mind, we conducted a study on the social representation of earthquakes in Southern France in order to better understand if low to moderate risks can be objects of social representation. Method. - After first exploring data available in the region on risk perception in relation to factors that condition the emergence of a social representation, we analysed the structure of the social representation of earthquakes in Southern France among earthquake-exposed inhabitants (n = 94), using three methods designed within the structural approach: prototypical analysis, similitude analysis and the Test of Context Independence. Results. - We identified an essentially descriptive representation with no practical orientation, leading us to discuss social representations in relation to collective representations. Conclusion. - We propose a clearer distinction between the two as well as arguments in favour of a standardised technique for verifying the existence of a social representation. We then attempt to situate both concepts within the Architecture of Social Thought model. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.