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Mimetic Representations of the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of Objectification, Anchoring, and Identification Processes in Coronavirus Memes

de Saint Laurent, Constance, Glăveanu, Vlad Petre orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-6029-6718 and Literat, Ioana (2022) Mimetic Representations of the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of Objectification, Anchoring, and Identification Processes in Coronavirus Memes. Psychology of Popular Media, 11 (4). pp. 340-354. ISSN 2689-6575

Abstract
This study examines meaning-making in and through coronavirus memes, as part of broader representations of the pandemic circulating online. It also aims to make a broader conceptual contribution by advancing a theory of mimetic representation that considers memes to be cultural meaning units and, building on social representations theory, proposes objectification, anchoring, and identification as their 3 main constitutive processes. A content analysis that focuses on these processes was conducted on a systematically generated sample of 1,544 memes posted on Reddit’s r/CoronavirusMemes between January and May 2020. We found that the pandemic is objectified most often in terms of protective measures (e.g., quarantine, social distancing) and transmission (e.g., coughing, traveling when sick); that it is anchored in popular media themes, followed by geography, politics, and history; and that, in terms of identification, most memes portrayed the self and/or in-group. Although, over time, memes displayed more objectification and less identification, the ones that did make reference to in- and out-groups were more commented on. These results suggest that analyses guided by the theory of mimetic representation can shed light on the dynamic nature of meaning-making processes on social media and the importance of memes in terms of framing wider societal debates as well as creating new identities, online and offline.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:memes; social representations; COVID-19; Reddit; social media
Subjects:Computer Science > Algorithms
Computer Science > World Wide Web
Social Sciences > Mass media
Social Sciences > Social psychology
Social Sciences > Sociology
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > DCU Business School
Publisher:American Psychological Association
Official URL:https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2022-53473-001.ht...
Copyright Information:American Psychological Association
ID Code:33093
Deposited On:12 Aug 2026 14:55 by Tam Nguyen . Last Modified 12 Aug 2026 14:55
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