Underlying all theories are philosophical presuppositions that lend themselves to different epistemological approaches, which need to be unfurled when comparing theories and offering alternative explanations. Contrary to Verheggen and Baerveldt's (2007) promulgation that 'enactivism' may be an adequate alternative for Wagner's social representation approach, this commentary outlines how this may be a misguided position.Enactivism, following an outward trajectory from nervous systems, to minds, to '(inter)action', to social enactivism, is incompatible with the dialogical epistemology underpinning social representations theory. Social representations are not reducible to individual minds, and dialogical interaction is not reducible to operationally closed 'systems' in (inter)action. The difference between the two approaches lies in the fundamental paradigmatic distinction between molar and molecular explanatory frameworks. Offering one as an alternative to the other overlooks the epistemological differences between the two and fails to appreciate the discrepancies between different levels of analysis, explanatory frameworks and the very phenomena that theories problematize. We Don't Share! The Social Representation Approach, Enactivism and the Fundamental Incompatibilities between the TwoAs Marková (1982) notes, underlying all theories (be they scientific or 'lay') are certain philosophical presuppositions, implicit or explicit, concerning the nature of 'man', the world and the interaction (or lack thereof) between the two. This is not to suggest there is a 'correct' and 'incorrect' way of studying psychological phenomena; rather, these presuppositions must be unfurled if one is to fully appreciate, and thus critique, the logic of any argument. Such philosophical assumptions Culture & Psychology
In a recent article, Nesbitt-Larking (2007) postulated the notion of 'deep multiculturalism', dependent, at least in part, on dialogue and on 'host' societies questioning their core values. In this commentary I suggest that whilst such a proposal is indeed a worthy ideal, the social psychological processes underpinning how this can be achieved need to be adequately addressed if such a vision is to become a reality. Using Social Representation Theory, I hope to explicate the operation of power, ideologies and collective memory on the process of representation, and suggest that understanding this process may better enable one to manage the obstacles involved in a project of deep multiculturalism. Drawing on Whiteness studies, I suggest that for a host society to question their core values, certain unconsciously held values need first to be illuminated; however, in so doing, I postulate that caution is exercised in order that such exposure does not perpetuate racialising representations. Using the concepts of anchoring and objectification, I propose that highlighting the similarities and shared experiences of a society's members may be a more successful strategy for achieving deep multiculturalism, than focusing on diversity and difference.
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