Representacions

Representacions (Catalan for representations) is the plural of representació and denotes the ways in which something stands in for or symbolizes something else. The term is used across disciplines to describe models, images, or processes that stand for a real object, state, concept, or group.

In philosophy and cognitive science, mental representations are internal states that stand for external objects, events, or concepts. Discussions focus on how these representations relate to perception, meaning, and knowledge, and on whether they are intrinsic to the mind or constructed through interaction with the world.

In mathematics, a representation of an algebraic structure is a realization of its elements as linear transformations of a vector space. Representation theory studies how groups, rings, or algebras can be modeled by matrices and operators, revealing the structure’s properties through linear actions.

In computer science and information theory, representations describe how data is encoded and stored. This includes binary representations of numbers, data structures in programming, and knowledge representations used in artificial intelligence and logic.

In social sciences and media studies, representation refers to how people and communities are depicted in culture, including issues of accuracy, diversity, and power. Researchers evaluate stereotypes, visibility, and the impact of portrayals on public perception and policy.

In law and politics, representation concerns the authorization to act on behalf of others, such as electoral representation, fiduciary representation, and the mandate to advocate for constituents or clients.

See also: mental representation, representation theory, data representation, group representation, electoral representation, symbolic representation.