Social Inequality and Psychology: Perspective for the Debate on Poverty

Abstract

Poverty is part of the everyday life in Brazil and for many years has been neglected by Psychology as a central theme for training and practice in the area. It was with the admission of psychologists into the public health and care system that this issue became difficult for the professional practice. Without understanding how to deal with poverty, professionals began to question the relationship between psychology and social inequalities, as well as how to deal with this social condition of life. The objective of this chapter is to reflect on poverty and social inequality, from a critical reading of life in capitalism, discussing from the Brazilian perspective R. Wilkinson and K. Pickett’s thesis that egalitarian societies are better for all people, from a study with rich countries. With this reflection, it is necessary to point out ways to a clear political position of Psychology as a body of knowledge and a profession that responds to the subjective demands of poverty.