Structural Equations with Latent Variables and Social Representations: Comments on Carugati, Selleri and Scappini

Abstract

Utilisation of structural equations with latent variables is one promising strategy for social representation theory development. Carugati, Selleri and Scappini (1994) present an operationalization of their three level structure theory of social representations using a confirmatory factorial analysis. Some points concerning which strategy would be more heuristic in order to develop social representations theory with Lisrel techniques are developed. In particular the distinction between exploratory and confirmatory analysis is discussed. Finally, some remarks are made about statistical assumptions concerning measures in structural equation models within the field of social representation studies which need to be clarified.