The image of a contemporary in students’ representations

Abstract

The image of a contemporary is examined based on students’ collective representations. The sample includes 337 fifth-year students. 80 collages created by students’ groups are analyzed. A contemporary social character types (narcissistic, philistine (or narrow-minded), creative and procreative types) are identified and described. The heterogeneity of students’ representations of a contemporary is shown. The influence of social changes on modern youth’s representations is discussed.