A teoria das representações sociais e a cognição matemática

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical discussion about the socio-cultural influences in mathematics cognition. An analysis of the dominant paradigm in research in cognition and culture shows how Piaget and Vygotsky have contributed to the advancement in this area. At the same time that analysis points to limitations in the way socio-cultural influences have been theorized and studied. In the second part of the paper it is argued that the social representations theory could provide a basis for the development of a new perspective which overcomes the limitations identified.