Psychology, Society and Education

This book introduces the most significant studies and practices developed by scholars and researchers in school psychology in Brazil. The chapters discuss a critical, historical and cultural perspective of how psychology as a science and psychologists as professionals are able to contribute with schooling and education. Its goal is to provide an overview about the main discussions of school psychology in Brazil for an international audience, without losing the necessary depth to present delicate and important topics. Models of psychology based on natural sciences and traditional practices are criticized for concealing a wide array of causes for school failure, related to poverty, educational culture, class oppression and low budget for public education. Marxist perspectives, Foucaultian analysis and psychoanalysis help to provide psychologists with theoretical bases for practices of school psychology in different contexts. Experiences of criticism of public policies, as well as an understanding of the psychologist as part of social movements and policy making are briefly addressed. These features become 'Psychology, Society and Education: Critical Perspectives in Brazil, a unique publication in its gender. From the point of view of teaching and researching in the fields of psychology, education and social sciences, this volume stands out by presenting theoretical and methodological contributions to qualitative approaches. This book will also be useful to international scholars and researchers interested in expanding knowledge of Brazilian society through education.