RESUMO: O construcionismo social considera o discurso sobre o mundo não como um reflexo ou mapa do mundo, mas como um artefato de intercâmbio social. O construcionismo constitui-se um desafio significativo à compreensão convencional, sendo uma orientação tanto em relação ao conhecimento quanto ao caráter dos constructos psicológicos. Embora as raízes do construcionismo possam ser rastreadas há bom tempo nos debates entre as escolas de pensamento empirista e racionalista, o construcionismo busca ultrapassar o dualismo com o qual ambas as teorias estão comprometidas, e situar o conhecimento no interior dos processos de intercâmbio social. Ainda que o papel da explicação psicológica se torne problemático, um construcionismo plenamente desenvolvido pode oferecer um meio para compreender o processo da ciência e convidar para que se desenvolvam critérios alternativos para a avaliação da investigação psicológica. Palavras-chave: Construcionismo social; Psicologia moderna; Investigação psicologica.

No abstract

Recent decades have been marked by a steadily increasing emphasis on neural determinants of behavior. Concerns with socio-cultural processes have simultaneously been diminished. Given the significance of this shift toward a cortical explanation of human behavior-in terms of both the direction of research in psychology and the implications of this research for social practices and policy-critical reflection is essential. In particular, when significant conceptual flaws are brought into focus, we find good reason to reconsider the significance of sociocultural process. And, when we take into account major vistas of neuropsychological research, the conclusion becomes evident that not only is human action unintelligible in terms of neural activity, but the brain primarily functions in the service of cultural process. To be sure, cortical functioning may both enable and limit human activity. However, given the enormous variation in human conduct, and the dependency of such conduct on the generation of cultural meaning, the most promising conclusion, both for research and for societal practice, is to view the brain chiefly as an instrument for achieving socially originated ends. This is not to argue against inquiry into brain functioning, but to be more judicious about the domains of its utility, and critical in terms of what it offers for understanding human action.

No abstract

No abstract