Collective memory and social representations

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between collective memory and social representations, drawing on key theoretical perspectives and research trends. Initiated by Moscovici in the 1960s, the study of social knowledge explores how individuals make sense of everyday life through socially and culturally situated thinking. Within this framework, memory and social representations are understood as forms of social thought that shape communication, guide practices, and construct a shared reality among group members. Memory is viewed as dynamic and central to shaping collective identity. Foundational theories by Halbwachs and Bartlett continue to inform current studies, integrating social representations as knowledge grounded in shared experiences. Recent research highlights collective narratives, showing how identity and cultural factors influence the transmission and transformation of memories. The article underscores the importance of inter- and intradisciplinary dialogue to better understand how groups remember, forget, and interpret their past to confront present and future societal challenges.

Keywords: Collective identity; Collective memory; Historicity; Social representations.