This research report is based on a comparative method in which social representations of rural areas students in the fourth year of secondary school are analyzed. We have chosen a rural experimental centre (IES No. 1 Requena) and two centres contrast, urban (IES San Vicent Ferrer) and suburban (Colegio Pléyade). From the interpretation of the results of the surveys and mental diagrams, and analysis of a semi-structured interview and textbooks, it has been shown that the school curriculum is an obstacle to the knowledge of the social perceptions of students. The similarities and differences between social practice and lives space explain the real lived space conceptions (experimental centre) or idyllic (centres contrast) on rural areas.... [Leer más...]