The social representation of the deaf: a case study

Resumen

The purpose of this article is to analyze the Social Representation on the deaf from the perspective of the group itself, that is, we will try to find out how the deaf anchor notions such as disability; normality; among others, in the peer categorization process. In order to do so, we will review the theoretical basis of the Theory of Social Representation, developed by Moscovici, and the fundamental concepts of the Moscovician disciples' approaches. Furthermore, we will explain the theoretical apparatus formulated, based of Moscovici's theoretical inputs (1978; 2003; 2015) and Doise´s theories (2002; 2014; 2015), to account for the analysis of the (re)construction of Representation as a process cognitive complex that has social marks. The analyzes were carried out through the speeches of deaf students and professors of the Letras-Libras course at UFPE, collected through questionnaires/interviews. In this way, we seek to observe the complex relationship between the subject, cognition and society. The results were also analyzed based on Vala (1986; 1997; 1999; 2002; 2004; 2010; 2015a; 2015b) which establishes parameters for new forms of expression of prejudice. We came to the conclusion that, although the element that organizes the central nucleus of Social Representation on the deaf is disability, it is anchored in a peculiar way.