Ciencia psicológica y profesionalización en Argentina y Brasil: 1930-1980*

Abstract

A comparative study of the development of the psychological science in Argentina and Brazil in the period 1930 and 1980 is carried out, based on the analysis of a variety of primary and secondary sources from a historical stand point. It is analyzed the role Psychology had in State planning and the relationships between scientific and professional model. Analogue processes of reception and constitution of the field and institutions are described until the creation of the psychology programs, when the greater State support and planning of Psychology development took place. Afterwards, the most meaningful differences are found between these countries. In Argentina scientific culture tended to be displaced from psychology programs, as well as the State support to psychology research. In Brazil, since the 1960 decade, the technological development in the southeast region, and the dictatorial government fostered the spread of a psychological culture among urban middle class people. The State strongly supported psychology postgraduate programs and research activity.