Ricerc@Sapienza

The general objective of this research project is to evaluate the utility of a well established social psychological model (S. Moscovici's Theory of Social Representations) for the understanding of the communication regarding sustainability issues that occur within the so-called, social media networks. In particular, the project will be focused on the communication on sustainable forms of tourism. 

This project stems from the consideration that most of the investigations on sustainable tourism have used econometrics approaches focused on socio-demographic factors, and based on population surveys.

Few investigations have instead directed their attention to media communication, and to social media networks in particular, and even fewer have implemented a psycho-social model able to inscribe the results obtained within a comprehensive model of social relations and behaviours. 

This is a serious shortcoming, as an increasing part of social interactions is now transiting on social media networks.

Social psychologists need thus to develop new investigation approaches that are able to explore the communication on social media networks using the lens of consolidated psycho-social theoretical models. This investigation will also increase the general understanding of the nature and functions of social media networks and of their relationship to crucial social-psychological processes, behaviours and practices.