Psychology: science or profession?

The various facets of Psychology, its professional performance and its achievements in contemporary times were the "breakfast" of the students of the Psychology course at Bahiana, on January 30, at the Academic Unit Brotas.

The lecture, given by the psychologist and associate professor at the Psychology Institute of UFBA, Wilson Senne, led those present to reflect and debate on the importance of the scientific bias in psychology. “I would say that the link with science is fundamental, first because it is possible to do a scientific psychology, the behaviorists showed that. The point is that it cannot be reduced only to science within the traditional canons, unless the concept of science is broadened, precisely because it reaches a number of emerging practices that require a theorization in process, a theorization that even advances these practices . Psychoanalysis, Marxism, two examples, are not science, in the canonical sense, but they are not “blah blah blah” either, although many people think so, they are defensible as theorizations. In part rigorous, in part criticism, seeking consensus, and in part reality-transforming.”

He also defends that there is a possibility that these theorizations dialogue with the scientific method. “This dialogue is fundamental. One of the risks of psychology straying from science is mixing, for example, with religion, which is what is happening. In the case of a Christian psychology, whose epistemological status is even more precarious, everything remains to be done, there is no theoretical or scientific reasoning that can support a Christian psychology. So, this is a danger."

The invitation to the inaugural class came from the coordination of the course, which is headed by teacher Sylvia Barreto. “Wilson Senne is a reference in this discussion that is current about training in psychology, about the curriculum. What psychology is this? And our curriculum is constantly being rethought. We always intend to achieve the goal of training a generalist, critical, reflective psychologist and, therefore, the discussion: what is this psychology? Is it a science or a profession? And he makes a contribution to the issue of ethics. Regardless of the theoretical line I choose, the practice of my training, I need to act ethically, critically. And it was extremely interesting to bring these questions up at this semester's opening conference, so that students leave here reflecting on their position as students and as trainers in our psychology course”.

For the freshman, Ana Luisa Peixinho, the inaugural class contributed to deepening issues that she already brought up in this first semester of the Psychology course. “I found the lecture interesting. As we freshmen have a lot of doubts, he clarified some and instigated more questions, but that we will answer throughout the course. We haven't started classes yet, but I can see it's very interesting. I personally really liked the subject. It's very controversial and thought-provoking. It prompts many questions that will be answered throughout the course.” 

Wilson Alves Senne

Graduated in Psychology from the São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho (1983), Master's in Psychology from the Federal University of São Carlos (1986) and Ph.D. in Education from the Federal University of Bahia (2003). He is currently adjunct professor at the Institute of Psychology at the Federal University of Bahia. He has experience in the field of Education, with an emphasis on Teaching Methodology, Epistemology and Social-Community Psychology, working mainly on the following topics: public policy, environment, school, body and psychology-history-20th century.

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