Since ancient times, scholars have attempted to conceptualize how we make sense of our world. Social representation theory is a contemporary approach concerned with the understanding of the world shared by a community or society. This approach was initially developed in the 1950s by the French social psychologist, Serge Moscovici. Since then many researchers have sought to develop it theoretically and to consider its applications. This chapter considers its historical forebears and contemporary developments. It also identifies some of the key figures in the development of the theory whose work will be considered in subsequent chapters.