Pathologization and Medicalization of Higher Education

Abstract

This paper presents a qualitative participatory research based on Cultural-historical Psychology conducted at University of Brasilia. It aims to understand how pathologizing and medicalizing discourses and practices are materialized in daily routine and unfolded in its educational policies. Through participatory observation, documental research and individual and group meetings, the study illustrated how those policies are crossed by traditional conceptions of teaching that individualize schooling problems, maintain exclusionary education systems and end up supporting rights violations. The research shows the need for the university to study its own reality and educational practices, acknowledging its social duty and role of constantly questioning and proposing solutions to the challenges posed to society.