The Value of Social Representations Theory in Understanding Perceptions Regarding HIV/AIDS

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which individuals experience ideologic strain from identifying with members in their in-group and its shared representation of HIV. 200 students from a large South African University completed a HIV Knowledge, Perceptions & Practices survey with open and closed items that were analysed using Thematic Content Analysis. The results from the HIV Knowledge, Perceptions & Practices survey in this cross-sectional study indicate that while the large majority of the participants know a great deal about HIV, this knowledge is highly impacted upon by the Social Representations that exist around this virus. The results highlight a widespread sense of personal invulnerability when faced with crises: the ‘not me’ dynamic in response to the negative Social Representations that surround this disease.

Keywords:

• HIV perceptions
• risk assessment
• risk theory
• social representations theory