Critical Psychology and the Brain: Rethinking Free will in the Legal Context.

The article draws from critical psychology to discuss the rising debate on brain determinism and free will in the legal domain. As free will also corresponds to the context and culture, it can have both the public and private space of expressions. The rise of neuroscience and its influence in the legal domain offers a holistic and sociocultural meaning of responsibility. Even one becomes entitled to take free will as a 'necessary illusion' in order to be in the zone of 'moral as well as legal-social life forming activities'. In the criminal justice system free will is not taken as any kind of 'necessary illusion' but the conscious will and action of the person. This further throw light on how the wilful control of any criminal act is a social act and our brain is not separate from our collective will.

"Safety Means Everything": An ethnographic methodology to explore the formation of professional identity in nursing students.

AIM: The aim of this qualitative study is to explore how various conditions within educational contexts impact nursing students' experiences of becoming professional nurses and how these conditions affect their agency and the formation of their professional identities. BACKGROUND: Nursing education is essential to becoming professional and competent in caring for patients. A strong professional identity in nursing contributes to better patient outcomes and improves the well-being, retention, and recruitment of practitioners in the health care system. At the same time, research indicates that development of a professional identity during education is challenging and needs further investigation. DESIGN: The qualitative research design draws on the theoretical and methodological framework of critical psychology practice research. The practice research design and close collaboration with users ensure the continuous development and implementation of theory and practice. METHODS: The data used in this study originated from ethnographic fieldwork, which involved following two nursing students through their final clinical placement training at the Geriatric Department of a university hospital in Denmark. Additionally, nursing students in two classes were observed as part of their nursing education practice at a university college from April to July 2022. The participant observational design, combined with in-situ interviewing, facilitated a comprehensive understanding of the students' engagement in social practices and interactions within the context of nursing education. RESULTS: Our results show how the conditions of nursing students' everyday lives have a critical impact on their self-understanding and journey to becoming competent and professional nurses. Three main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Perception of safety, (2) Motivation for learning in different communities of practice, and (3) The meaning of learning culture and role models. CONCLUSION: The development of nursing students into professionals is profoundly influenced by factors affecting their ontological safety that are deeply embedded in socio-cultural and educational contexts. The results underscore the need to foster ontological safety in nursing education. Creating safe, participatory, and supportive learning environments is essential to the holistic development of students into caring, competent nurses. Educators and stakeholders must remember their crucial role in this context and focus on establishing these environments to facilitate students' sense of belonging in the nursing profession. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: The development of professional identity in nursing starts with safety. Ontological Safety in learning environments ensures competent and professional nurses. #NursingEducation#Safety#ProfessionalIdentity.

Why critical psychology and the neurodiversity movement need each other.

Critical psychology is a discipline that can be defined in a variety of ways, though common themes include critiquing mainstream psychology as well as critiquing society at large and engaging in social change to respond to those critiques. The neurodiversity movement is a political movement that emerged in response to the dehumanizing treatment of Autistic and other neurodivergent individuals by society in general and by mainstream psychology specifically. In this article, I describe five ways in which critical psychology and the neurodiversity movement can and have begun to benefit from each other: (a) by critical psychologists embracing neurodivergent epistemologies in the way they embrace other diverse epistemologies; (b) by resisting attempts within mainstream psychology to pathologize difference or "treat" these so-called psychopathologies by modifying behavior; (c) by practitioners developing cultural competency around neurodivergent culture within the psychotherapeutic practice; (d) by challenging the homogenization and whitewashing within the neurodiversity movement through leveraging lessons from within various critical psychologies; and (e) by researchers and practitioners recognizing and combatting instances of ableism embedded in other forms of oppression and within the field of critical psychology itself.

Examining Attitudes Towards Mental Health Diagnoses: A Q-Methodology Study.

BACKGROUND: Debates exist regarding the validity and utility of functional psychiatric diagnoses. How mental health diagnoses are understood has real impacts for service users and service delivery. AIMS: To investigate different attitudes about the utility of psychiatric diagnoses. METHODS: Forty-one stakeholders sorted 57 statements related to the usefulness of psychiatric diagnoses. Using q-methodology, four viewpoints were identified and interpreted. RESULTS: Viewpoint 1 (Pathologising human experience) regarded diagnoses as pseudo-scientific constructs that lacked validity and obscured the relationships between lived experience and distress. Viewpoint 2 (Illnesses like any other) held that labels reflected real disorders and diagnosis offered important benefits for service users and services. Viewpoint 3 (Stigmatised conditions) similarly regarded diagnoses as reflecting real disorders, but diagnostic criteria were viewed as biased and the impacts of applying labels seen as causing problems for service users. Conversely, Viewpoint 4 (Useful short-hands) viewed diagnostic processes as imperfect but necessary for supporting communication and structuring service delivery. CONCLUSIONS: While not all viewpoints are in keeping with empirical evidence, we hope results will enable professionals and service users to take meta-positions in relation to their own and others' attitudes, and to reflect on the impacts of privileging certain viewpoints over others.

Trans(gender) journeys: rights and the (non-)recognition of "human".

A human right paradigm has been challenging the biomedical perspectives that tend to be normalized in the Western context concerning the lives of trans people. The aim of this study is to understand how trans people in Portugal and Brazil perceive the (non-)recognition of their socio-cultural, economic and political rights. Specifically, the study intends to know in what extent these perceptions influence the processes of identity (de)construction. For this purpose, 35 semi-structured interviews were conducted with people self-identified as trans, transsexuals and transvestites in Brazil and Portugal. The narratives of the participants were analyzed according to the thematic analysis method and the following six main themes emerged: (i) Who are the rights for; (ii) Types of rights; (iii) Paradigm of distribution of rights; (iv) Local or global rights; (v) Non-recognition of the "human"; and, (vi) Transphobias (and cissexism). The results allowed the knowledge of rights and the non-recognition of the "human" which is the central organizer of the analysis. Among the main conclusions of this study, we emphasize the circumscription of rights to certain international, regional and/or national contexts; the existence of local instead of global rights, since they are influenced by regional and international law, but they depend on the legislation in force in each country; and the way human rights can also be understood as a platform of invisibility and exclusion of other people. Based on a commitment to social transformation, this article also contributes to rethinking the violence that is exercised on trans people as a continuum, whether through 'normalizing devices' by medical contexts, family contexts, public space, or even through internalized transphobia. Social structures produce and sustain transphobias and, simultaneously, are responsible for fighting them by changing the paradigm about the conception of transsexualities.

Historical Development of Political-Critical Thinking in Colombian Psychology / Desarrollo Histórico del Pensamiento Político-Crítico en la Psicología Colombiana

Abstract The study traces the historical elements that have influenced the development of political-critical thinking in Colombian Psychology. Four historical periods have been identified and discussed: The intellectual colonialism of Colombian Psychology (1947-1960); the social Psychiatry in the years of La comisión [The commission] (1961-1980); the community Psychology and the coexistence (1980-1991); and the psychosocial studies after recent peace processes between government and armed groups (1991-2018). Colombian political Psychology did not follow a homogeneous and linear development. The reality experienced by Colombians during more than five decades of armed conflict required Psychology to abandon the direct paths of politics and opt for psychosocial studies that promise to be the most radical heirs of a generation of Latin American critical thinking as represented by Ignacio Martín-Baró, Maritza Montero and Silvia Lane.

Resumen El estudio rastrea los elementos históricos que han influido en el desarrollo del pensamiento político-crítico en la psicología colombiana. Se identifican y discuten cuatro periodos históricos: el colonialismo intelectual de la psicología colombiana (1947-1960); la psiquiatría social en los años de La Comisión (1961-1980); la psicología comunitaria y la convivencia (1980-1991); y, finalmente, los estudios psicosociales tras los recientes procesos de paz entre el Gobierno y los grupos armados (1991-2018). La psicología política colombiana no siguió un desarrollo homogéneo y lineal. La realidad vivida por los colombianos durante más de cinco décadas de conflicto armado exigió que la psicología abandonara los caminos directos de la política y optara por los estudios psicosociales que prometen ser los herederos más radicales de una generación de pensamiento crítico latinoamericano representada por Ignacio Martín-Baró, Maritza Montero y Silvia Lane.

Patient-Assessed Quality of Virtual Consultations as Follow-Up on Long-Term Oxygen Therapy for Patients With COPD.

BACKGROUND: Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) can increase survival time and relieve symptom burden in patients with COPD and chronic hypoxemia. The Department of Respiratory Medicine at Odense University Hospital invites patients with LTOT and COPD to the out-patient clinic for treatment evaluation every 6 months to regulate or terminate treatment and support patients' treatment adherence. The out-patient clinic, however, experiences many absences or cancellations from patients. For that reason, patients were offered virtual consultation as an alternative to physical attendance. This study was initiated to uncover reasons for absences and the patients' experiences of virtual consultation to promote a more patient-centered clinical practice for patients with COPD and LTOT. METHODS: A qualitative study encompassing semi-structured interviews with 20 subjects was conducted in the winter of 2021. The subjects had tried or been given the opportunity of virtual consultation. Data were analyzed inspired by Kvale and Brinkmann focusing on the subject's perspectives on virtual consultation. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in 3 main themes: limitations and vulnerabilities, independence and quality of life, and personal strategies. Subjects expressed that everyday life with LTOT and COPD was characterized by limited resources in terms of energy, oxygen, and time. LTOT was perceived as a necessary means to maintain a sense of independence and quality of life. However, LTOT also meant additional limitations due to cumbersome equipment and feelings of isolation. Most subjects considered the virtual consultation to be oxygen-, energy-, and time-preserving, as it meant avoiding stressful transportation and handling of oxygen cylinders, COVID-19 exposure, waiting time, and not having to involve others for help. CONCLUSIONS: The subjects' perspective showed that follow-up on LTOT as a virtual consultation was considered a valuable offer. The chosen method was found to be relevant in uncovering subjects' attitudes toward clinical practice procedures.

The psychology of people with variable sex characteristics/intersex.

Psychological research on people with variable sex characteristics (VSC)/intersex is broadening from the traditional exploitation of this population to ask nature/nurture questions about sexuality and gender. Healthcare for this population has been highly controversial, prompting research on psychological outcomes, the life-span development of adults with VSC, and distress trajectories of parents of children with VSC. Psychological research on clinical psychologists' roles in multidisciplinary care teams, and on decision making about medical pathways informed by those teams, both inform the evaluation of contemporary healthcare. Research is broadening to consider schoolchildren with VSC, elite athletes with VSC, and public understanding of VSC. The growing interdisciplinary field of intersex studies provides critical resources for psychologists.

A Autolesão Não Suicida em idade escolar: uma agressão que conforta? / Non suicidal self -injury at school age: an aggression that comforts?

Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa e documental que teve por objetivo compreender a Autolesão Não Suicida (ALNS) a partir de uma visão crítica da Psicologia, validando a perspectiva do sujeito que se autolesiona e elencar fatores de risco e proteção para incidência do fenômeno. A partir da realização de encontros coletivos com estudantes mulheres que praticavam a ALNS, em uma escola Municipal de Ensino Fundamental, foram documentadas em diários de campo as ações e reflexões oriundas desse espaço. Utilizou-se da Metodologia construtiva-interpretativa para a organização e análise dos dados. A partir dos resultados, foi possível identificar que o sofrimento psicológico é maior do que o sofrimento físico resultante das autolesões e elencar fatores de risco e proteção para a incidência do fenômeno, compreendendo a Autolesão Não Suicida como uma forma de enfrentamento frente aos sofrimentos da vida cotidiana permeada por conflitos e violência individuais, configurando-a como uma agressão que conforta. (AU)

This is qualitative documental research that aimed to understand Non-suicidal Self Injury (NSSI) from a critical view of Psychology, validating the perspective of the subject who self-injures and listing risk and protection factors for the incidence of the phenomenon. From the weekly meetings with female students who practiced NSSI, from a municipal elementary school, the actions and reflections arising from this space were documented in field diaries. Constructive-interpretative methodology was used for data organization and analysis. Based on the results, it was possible to identify, through the participants’ statements, that psychological suffering is greater than the physical suffering resulting from self-injury and to list risk and protection factors for the incidence of the phenomenon, understanding NSSI as a way of coping with suffering of everyday life permeated by individual conflicts and violence, configuring it as an aggression that comforts. (AU)

Psicologia, 60 anos, e a crítica da crítica / Psychology: 60 years and the critique of the critique / Psicología, 60 años y la crítica a la crítica

Num marco de 60 anos da regulamentação da psicologia, em momento de aguçamento da crise estrutural do capital, analisamos em que sentido a crítica na/da/à psicologia se desenvolve, como ela influi no recente desenvolvimento da profissão e suas implicações. Trata-se de um trabalho teórico em que dialogamos com exercícios analíticos críticos na psicologia brasileira desde o marxismo. Por um lado, verificamos a crítica na/da/à psicologia não apenas se desenvolvendo, como influindo no desenvolvimento dessa área no Brasil em direção a análises e explicações mais condizentes com a realidade, bem como a práticas mais comprometidas ética e politicamente, superando lacunas históricas. Por outro, constatamos inflexões e abrandamentos na crítica atrelados à conjuntura, sua institucionalização na academia (em termos da produção de conhecimento) e políticas sociais (referente ao trabalho profissional), formando uma crise na práxis da psicologia crítica: o aguçamento da crise estrutural do capital se expressando nas propostas críticas à/da/na psicologia. Como caminhos para a continuidade da crítica como motor do desenvolvimento da psicologia, sinalizamos: a) explicitação da dimensão ontológica na/da crítica e seus projetos ético-políticos de psicologia e sociedade; b) análises totalizantes, em vez de fragmentações da realidade; c) práxis como critério de verdade, superando a noção da crítica como algo em si ou mero exercício teórico descolado da realidade; d) emancipação humana como horizonte; e) resgate da radicalidade; e f) ir além das fronteiras da psicologia, em direção às lutas e movimentos sociais.(AU)

Within the framework of the 60th anniversary of psychology regulation in Brazil, in a moment of sharpening of the structural crisis of capital, this paper analyzes in what sense the critique in/of psychology is developed, how it influences recent psi development and its implications. This theoretical work dialogues with critical analytical exercises in Brazilian psychology since Marxism. On one hand, we see the critique of psychology not only developing, but also influencing the development of this field in Brazil towards analyses and explanations more consistent with reality, as well as towards more ethically-politically committed practices, overcoming historical gaps. On the other, we observe inflections and slowdowns in the critique linked to the conjuncture, its institutionalization in academia (in terms of knowledge production) and social policies (referring to professional work), leading to a crisis in critical psychology praxis; the sharpening of the structural crisis of capital expressed in critical proposals of/in psychology. As paths for a continued critique as a driver for developing psychology, we point out a) explicitness of the ontological dimension of the critic and its ethical-political projects of psychology and society; b) totalizing analyses, instead of fragmentations of reality; c) praxis as a truth criteria, overcoming the notion of critique as something in itself or mere theoretical exercise detached from reality; d) human emancipation as a horizon; e) rescue of radicalism; and f) go beyond the borders of psychology, towards social struggles and movements.(AU)

En el hito de los 60 años de regulación de la psicología y la agudización de la crisis estructural del capital, analizamos en qué sentido se desarrolla la crítica en/a la psicología, cómo esta influye en el reciente desarrollo de la profesión y sus implicaciones. Es un trabajo teórico, que dialoga con ejercicios analíticos críticos en la psicología brasileña desde el marxismo. Por un lado, la crítica en/a la psicología no solo se desarrolla, sino que incide en la psicología brasileña por medio de un análisis y explicaciones más acordes con la realidad, así como prácticas más comprometidas ético-políticamente al superar lagunas históricas. Por otro, se constatan las inflexiones y ablandamientos en la crítica relacionados a la coyuntura, su institucionalización en la academia (en relación a la producción de conocimiento) y en las políticas sociales (referidas al trabajo profesional), lo que configura una crisis en la praxis de la psicología crítica: la agudización de la crisis estructural del capital se expresa en propuestas críticas a/desde la psicología. Para seguir la crítica como motor del desarrollo de la psicología, señalamos: a) la explicitación de la dimensión ontológica en/de la crítica y los proyectos ético-políticos de psicología y sociedad; b) los análisis totalizadores más que fragmentaciones de la realidad; c) la praxis como criterio de verdad, superando la noción de la crítica como algo en sí o mero ejercicio teórico desvinculado de la realidad; d) la emancipación humana como horizonte; e) el rescate del radicalismo; e f) ir más allá de las fronteras de la psicología hacia luchas y movimientos sociales.(AU)

Violência contra mulheres: diretrizes políticas da psicologia para o exercício profissional / Violence against women: the political psychology guidelines for professional practice / Violencia contra la mujer: las directrices políticas de la psicología para el ejercicio profesional

Este artigo relata uma pesquisa exploratória documental que teve como objetivo apresentar e discutir as diretrizes políticas da Psicologia, no que diz respeito à violência contra as mulheres. O conjunto de diretrizes aprovadas nos Congressos Nacionais da Psicologia (CNP), de 1994 a 2019, direciona a atuação do Sistema Conselhos na orientação do exercício profissional em Psicologia e expressa o compromisso ético-político da categoria. O caminho metodológico deste estudo foi concretizado por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo e foi dividido em dois momentos: em 2016, na análise das diretrizes aprovadas até 2013; e, posteriormente, em 2020, por meio do software Atlas.ti de análise qualitativa, de modo atualizar o conjunto de diretrizes aprovadas. Os dois momentos de análise envolveram a leitura integral do material, a categorização temática em torno dos eixos: violência, mulher e gênero, e foram seguidos da análise interpretativa das pesquisadoras. Notamos que o debate da Psicologia sobre o fenômeno, por meio das categorias elencadas, passou aumentar consideravelmente a partir do 6º CNP (2007), tendo em vista a implementação da Lei Maria da Penha e, mais recentemente, no último Congresso (2019), devido à proibição do debate de gênero nas escolas brasileiras. Desse modo, observamos que o fenômeno social destacado esteve presente no conteúdo das diretrizes políticas da Psicologia por meio da transversalidade no campo dos direitos humanos e das políticas públicas.(AU)

This article presents the report of an exploratory documentary research that aimed to present and discuss the political guidelines of Psychology, regarding violence against women. The set of guidelines approved at the National Psychology Congresses (CNP), from 1994 to 2019, directs the work of the Council System in guiding professional practice in Psychology and expresses the ethical-political commitment of the category. The methodological path of this study was accomplished by the use of the content analysis technique and was divided into two moments: in 2016, in the analysis of the guidelines developed until 2013; and, later in 2020, using the ATLAS.ti qualitative analysis software, to update the set of approved guidelines. The two moments of analysis involved the full reading of the material, the thematic categorization around the axes: violence, women and gender, and were followed by the interpretative analysis of the researchers. We note that the Psychology debate regarding the phenomenon, by using the listed categories, started to increase considerably from the 6th CNP (2007), in view of the implementation of Law Maria da Penha and, more recently, at the last Congress (2019) due to the prohibition of the gender debate in Brazilian schools. Thus, we observed that the social phenomenon highlighted was present in the content of the political guidelines of Psychology in the transversality in the field of human rights and public policies.(AU)

Este artículo presenta el informe de una investigación documental exploratoria que tuvo como objetivo presentar y discutir las pautas políticas de la psicología, con respecto a la violencia contra las mujeres. El conjunto de directrices aprobadas en los Congresos Nacionales de Psicología (CNP), de 1994 a 2019, dirige el trabajo del Sistema del Consejo para guiar la práctica profesional en Psicología y expresa el compromiso ético-político de la categoría. La ruta metodológica de este estudio se logró mediante el uso de la técnica de análisis de contenido y se dividió en dos momentos: en 2016, en el análisis de las directrices desarrolladas hasta 2013; y más tarde en 2020, utilizando el software de análisis cualitativo Atlas T.I., para actualizar el conjunto de directrices aprobadas. Los dos momentos de análisis involucraron la lectura completa del material, la categorización temática en torno a ejes: violencia, mujeres y género y fueron seguidos por el análisis interpretativo de las investigadoras. Observamos que el debate de Psicología sobre el fenómeno, a través de las categorías enumeradas, comenzó a tener un aumento considerable desde el 6º CNP (2007), en vista de la implementación de la Ley Maria da Penha y, más recientemente, en el último Congreso (2019) debido a la prohibición del debate de género en las escuelas brasileñas. Así, observamos que el fenómeno social destacado estaba presente en el contenido de las directrices políticas de Psicología a través de la transversalidad en el campo de los Derechos Humanos y las Políticas Públicas.(AU)

Preconceito e prounistas: "seu lugar não é aqui" / Prejudice and prounistas: "you don't belong to here" / Prejuicios y Prounistas: "Su lugar no es acá"

O artigo é parte do resultado de uma tese de doutorado e tem como objetivo identificar e analisar a presença do preconceito nos espaços acadêmicos onde o ProUni está presente, para, a partir da análise apresentada, defender a tese de que o ProUni, ao mesmo tempo em que busca reparar a ausência histórica da classe trabalhadora no Ensino Superior brasileiro, acaba por revelar as desigualdades sociais manifestas pelo preconceito nas vivências universitárias. Para o desenvolvimento de uma estrutura argumentativa que defenda a tese foi necessário um mapeamento e caracterização dos ProUnistas a partir de um questionário online, além de duas entrevistas em profundidade que aconteceram de forma individual. Sabe-se que o preconceito na sociedade existe, assim como nas Instituições de Ensino Superior privadas, porém não é dimensionado ainda como esse preconceito influencia a vivência do estudante durante sua graduação; para isso utilizamos o método quantitativo e a análise construtivo-interpretativa. Conclui-se que apesar do ProUni dar acesso à classe trabalhadora ao Ensino Superior, o preconceito vivenciado durante a graduação ainda é bastante velado, prejudicando o cotidiano desses estudantes, sendo uma fonte de sofrimento psíquico. Necessita-se de um trabalho profundo da psicologia no ensino superior para auxiliar as Instituições de Ensino Superior na integração desses estudantes na comunidade universitária, além de auxiliá-los no enfrentamento ao preconceito nas vivências universitárias. (AU)

This paper is part of a doctoral thesis that aimed to identify and analyze the presence of prejudice in the academic spaces where ProUni (Program University for All) is existence, to defend the thesis: the ProUni, at the same time as it seeks to repair the historical absence of the working class in Brazilian Higher Education, reveals the social inequalities manifested by prejudice in university experiences. For the development of an argumentative structure that defends the thesis it was necessary to map and characterize the students of ProUni from an online questionnaire, besides two in-depth interviews that happened individually. It is known that prejudice in society exists, as well as in private Higher Educations Institutions, but it isn't considered how this prejudice influences the student's experience during his/her graduation, therefore, it was used the quantitative method and the constructive-interpretative analysis. It is concluded that although the ProUni gives access for the working class to Higher Education, the prejudice experienced during graduation is still quite veiled, damaging the daily life of these students, being a source of psychic suffering. A deep work of psychology in higher education is needed to assist the Higher Educations Institutions in the integration of these students in the university community, as well as to help them cope with prejudice in university experiences. (AU)

Este artículo es parte de una tesis de doctorado que tuvo como objetivo identificar y analizar la presencia del preconcepto en los espacios académicos donde el ProUni (Programa Universidad para todos) está presente, para, a partir del análisis presentado, defender la tesis de que el ProUni, al mismo tiempo que busca reparar la ausencia histórica de la clase obrera en la Enseñanza Superior Brasileña, acaba por revelar las desigualdades sociales manifestadas por el preconcepto en las vivencias universitarias Para el desarrollo de una estructura argumentativa que defienda la tesis fue necesario un mapeo y caracterización de los becarios del ProUni a partir de un cuestionario online, además de dos entrevistas en profundidad que ocurrieron de forma individual. Se sabe que el preconcepto en la sociedad existe, así como en las Instituciones de Enseñanza Superior privadas, pero no es dimensionado todavía como ese preconcepto influye en la vivencia del estudiante durante su graduación, por lo tanto, para ello utilizamos el método cuantitativo y el análisis constructivo-interpretativo. Se concluye que a pesar del ProUni dar acceso a la clase trabajadora a la Enseñanza Superior el preconcepto vivido durante la graduación todavía es bastante velado, perjudicando el cotidiano de esos estudiantes, siendo una fuente de sufrimiento psíquico. Se necesita un trabajo profundo de la psicología en la enseñanza superior para auxiliar a las Instituciones de Enseñanza Superior en la integración de esos estudiantes en la comunidad universitaria, además de auxiliarlos en el enfrentamiento del preconcepto en las vivencias universitarias. (AU)

Psychomedical Interventions with Transgender People in Portugal and Brazil: A Critical Approach.

This study aims to analyze biopsychomedical interventions with transgender people. For this purpose, we carried out 35 semi-structured interviews with people who self-identify as transsexuals and transvestites in Brazil and Portugal. The responses of the study participants were systematized according to a thematic analysis, which led to the emergence of the following three main themes: "institutional power", "expectations of trans-bodies", and "experiences in health services". This study demonstrates how some trans people perform bodily modifications to fight the transphobia they experience throughout their lives. In addition, they believe that, by making their bodies conform to each other, they may become more attractive and desirable. The process of cisnormativity is, furthermore, conveyed by the idea present in the answers of some respondents: that having "integrated" bodies means facing less discrimination and that they will, therefore, obtain more satisfactory ways of personally and socially experiencing their identities. This study contributes to a deepening critical reflection on the experiences/exclusions of trans people, especially in the psychomedical context of "normalization" devices. Hence, just as social structures produce and sustain transphobia, the same structures are responsible for combating it.

Competence in professional psychology practice in Ghana: Qualitative insights from practicing clinical health psychologists.

Issues concerning competence of practicing psychologists have not been critically investigated in Ghana. This study used the three-dimensional cube model of core competencies as a framework to explore competencies of professional psychologists in active clinical health practice in Ghana. Sixteen clinical psychologists with 1 to 20 years of practicing experience were interviewed on adequacy of their graduate training for practice as well as maintaining post-training competence. The results suggested that training equipped the practitioners mainly for research and teaching but less so for clinical practice. Reflective practice was underdeveloped leading to critical challenges in emotional and cultural competencies. Structural support for continuous professional development was limited. Implications for professional psychology training, research and practice are discussed. This study is the first to explore competence issues in professional psychology practice in Ghana, and it contributes to the global discourse on continuous competence in psychology.

História das abordagens científicas, médicas e psicológicas sobre as transexualidades e suas aproximações críticas / A history of scientific, medical and psychological approaches to transsexualities and their critical approach

Resumo Neste artigo, apresenta-se um breve enquadramento histórico das abordagens científicas, médicas e psicológicas sobre as transexualidades, tecendo um conjunto de considerações sobre a forma como tal enquadramento foi fundacional da noção de patologia associada às pessoas trans e como tem sido responsável pela manutenção da patologização destes indivíduos no imaginário coletivo. Para atingir tal objetivo, é desenhado um mapa cronológico dos acontecimentos que têm vindo a marcar, ao longo da história, o estudo e a intervenção com as pessoas trans a partir do modelo biomédico, referenciando algumas das personalidades que, no contexto ocidental, tiveram responsabilidade nesta visão biomédica das pessoas trans. No final deste trabalho, apresenta-se a discussão em torno da (des)patologização das transexualidades a partir do surgimento do paradigma centrado nos direitos humanos das pessoas trans e em propostas de autodeterminação dos seus corpos e identidades.

Abstract This study provides a brief historical background of scientific, medical and psychological approaches to transsexualities. It also makes considerations on how such approaches based the concept of pathology that is associated with trans people and how it has been responsible for maintaining the pathologization in the collective imaginary. More specifically, we will establish a chronology of events that, throughout history, have affected the study on and the intervention with trans people, based on the biomedical model. We will also refer to some Western figures responsible for creating this biomedical vision of trans people. Finally, the discussion about the (de)pathologization of transsexualities is presented, based on the emergence of the paradigm centered on the human rights of trans people and proposals for self-determination of their bodies and identities.

Una autoetnografía crítica de la psicología: la experiencia de Ian Parker / A critical self-ethnography of psychology: the experience of Ian Parker

En su más reciente libro publicado por Routledge, Psychology through critical auto-ethnography, Ian Parker asume el rol de antropólogo para explorar el mundo de la psicología en tanto disciplina académica. En contraste con los etnógrafos clásicos que viajaban a tierras lejanas para describir otros mundos ­otras culturas­ y descubrir en ellos claves de la existencia y la organización humana, Parker elige el camino de la autoetnografía, para escudriñar el mundo de la psicología a través de su propia experiencia como estudiante, investigador, profesor y activista social

In his most recent book published by Routledge, Psychology through critical auto-ethnography, Ian Parker takes on the role of anthropologist to explore the world of psychology as an academic discipline. In contrast to the classical ethnographers who traveled to distant lands to describe other worlds - other cultures - and discover in them keys to human existence and organization, Parker chooses the path of autoethnography, to scrutinize the world of psychology through his own experience as a student, researcher, teacher and social activist

La crítica de la psicología, trabajo y la pandemia de Covid-19* / The criticism of psychology, work, and the Covid-19 pandemic

Ante la pandemia de Covid-19 causada por el vírus SARS-CoV-2 que puso a los trabajadores de la región lationamericana en una condición de mayor vulnerabildad, en este artículo se consideran algunas de las respuestas proporcionadas por la psicología convencional de corte industrial-organizacional, las cuales han estado caracterizadas por su enfasis técnico y acrítico dirigido a responsabilizar a los trabajadores de la actual situación. Tambien son analizadas las propuestas construidas por la psicología crítica descritas como soluciones colectivas que convocan instancias Estatales, organizacionales, sindicales y gremiales para diseñar intervencinoes que contribuyan a mitigar la situacion de mayor vulnerabilidad laboral. Por último, son consideradas las respuestas derivadas de perspectivas externas a la psicologia que examinan criticamente esta disciplina para mostrar las operaciones de gobierno que son posibles gracias a las intervenciones psicológicas referidas a la contencion de la pandemia. Se señala que la llamada crisis de la crítica estaría permeándose tanto en aquellas psicologías que asumen perspectivas no hegemónicas, como en la crítica misma de la psicología cuando consideran la situación actual.(AU)

Diante da pandemia da Covid-19 causada pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2, que colocou os trabalhadores da região latino-americana em uma condição mais vulnerável, neste artigo se considera algumas das respostas fornecidas pela psicologia convencional, que tem se caracterizado por sua ênfase técnica e acrítica no sentido de responsabilizar os trabalhadores pela situação atual. Também se analisam as propostas construídas pela psicologia crítica descritas como soluções coletivas que apelam às instâncias estatais, organizacionais, sindicais e grupais para conceber intervenções que ajudem a mitigar a situação de maior vulnerabilidade no trabalho. Por fim, são consideradas as respostas derivadas de perspectivas externas à psicologia que examinam criticamente essa disciplina para mostrar as operações de governo que são possíveis por meio de intervenções psicológicas relacionadas à contenção da pandemia. Ressalta-se que a chamada crise da crítica estaria permeando tanto aquelas psicologias que assumem perspectivas não hegemônicas, como a própria crítica da psicologia em si ao se considerar a situação atual.(AU)

Faced with the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that put workers in the Latin American region in a more vulnerable condition, this article considers some of the responses provided by conventional industrial-organizational psychology, which have been characterized by their technical and uncritical emphasis aiming at holding workers accountable for the current situation. Also, the proposals constructed by critical psychology are analyzed to indicate that these collective solutions appeal to State, organizational, union and group instances to design interventions that contribute to mitigate the situation of greater vulnerability at work. Finally, the responses derived from perspectives external to psychology that critically examine this discipline are considered to show the government operations that are possible through psychological interventions related to the containment of the pandemic. It is pointed out how the so-called crisis of criticism is permeating those psychologies that assume non-hegemonic perspectives, as well as in the criticism of psychology itself when they consider the current situation.(AU)

Social Psychological Theory as History: Outlining the Critical-Historical Approach to Theory.

The mainstream epistemology of social psychology is markedly ahistorical, prioritizing the quantification of processes assumed to be lawful and generalizable. Social psychologists often consider theory to be either a practical tool for summarizing what is known about a problem area and making predictions or a torch that illuminates the counterintuitive causal force underlying a variety of disparate phenomena. I propose a third vision of critical-historical theory. From this perspective, theories should be committed to deep interdisciplinarity and historical validity claims-understanding individual and group experiences as part of historically contingent forces. Theories also should be critical, containing an awareness of the researcher as implicated in the social process and committed to actively improving society. To demonstrate its viability, I review classic works from the history of the discipline that exemplify critical-historical theory and offer concrete implications for theorists interested in employing this approach in their own work.

Lo psicosocial, una lectura que trascienda la unión de conceptos y relaciones / The psychosocial, a reading that transcends the union of concepts and relationships

El objetivo de la siguiente reflexión consiste en hacer una lectura acerca de la noción de lo psicosocial. Esta convoca a una revisión crítica para aportar elementos de reflexión en la realización de intervenciones psicosociales o caracterizar las formas de comprender procesos de transformación social que impliquen al sujeto y a la comunidad. En este sentido, se interroga ¿de qué manera los profesionales de las ciencias sociales y humanas hacen lectura de contexto e intervienen bajo este híbrido conceptual? Para ello se parte de la crítica hacia el uso indiscriminado del concepto en las múltiples formas en que este es utilizado por parte de los profesionales de las ciencias sociales y humanas; asimismo, de la lectura de este a la luz de la psicología social, gracias a la cual se trasciende el mero uso del concepto y se profundiza en lo que implicaría la unión de lo "psico" y lo "social" en la variedad de discursos y prácticas que existen hoy día en nuestros contextos sociales, posibilitando así una nueva comprensión del sujeto desde la interacción social y el relacionamiento en la construcción de la realidad. Desde esta perspectiva se pretende reflexionar sobre lo psicosocial para conocer la incidencia en las transformaciones sociales.

The aim of the next reflection is to make a reading about the notion of psychosocial. It calls for a critical review to provide elements of reflection in the realization of psychosocial interventions or to characterize ways of understanding processes of social transformation involving the subject and the community. In this sense, it is questioned how social and human science professionals make context reading and intervene under this conceptual hybrid? this is based on the criticism of the indiscriminate use of the concept in the many ways in which it is used by professionals of the social and human sciences, also the reading of it in view of social psychology, thanks to which the mere use of the concept is transcended and the deepening of what would involve the union of the "psycho" and the "social" in the variety of discourses and practices that exist today in our social contexts, this will enable a new understanding of the subject from social interaction and relationship in the construction of reality, from this perspective it is intended to reflect the psychosocial, to know the impact on social transformations.

Psicologia na Escola: Construção de um horizonte libertador para o desenvolvimento de crianças e jovens / Psychology in the School: Building a liberating horizon for the development of children and young people / Psicología en la Escuela: Construcción de un horizonte liberador para el desarrollo de niños y jóvenes

Esse artigo pretende apresentar um breve ensaio sobre a relação entre Psicologia e Educação, a partir de Martín-Baró e Paulo Freire, no Brasil, como uma referência de rompimento com o modelo tradicional predominante para a área, ao mesmo tempo que pretende discutir a importância da formação crítica em Psicologia, em especial no campo educativo e as demandas e desafios a serem enfrentados no plano técnico e político na inserção de psicólogos na rede educacional pública.(AU)

This article intends to present a brief essay about the relation between Psychology and Education, starting from Martín-Baró and Paulo Freire, in Brazil, as a reference of rupture with the traditional model predominant for the area, at the same time that it intends to discuss the importance of the critical education in Psychology, especially in the educational field and the demands and challenges to be faced in the technical and political plan in the insertion of psychologists into the public educational network.(AU)

Este artículo pretende presentar un breve ensayo sobre la relación entre Psicología y Educación, a partir de Martín-Baró y Paulo Freire, en Brasil, como una referencia de rompimiento con el modelo tradicional predominante para el área, al mismo tiempo que pretende discutir la importancia de la formación crítica en Psicología, en especial en el campo educativo y las demandas y desafíos a ser enfrentados en el plano técnico y político en la inserción de psicólogos en la red educativa pública.(AU)