Social policies, "third sector" and "social responsibility": perspectives and limits of practicing psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the possibilities and the limits of practicing psychology in social welfare services. The limits of the psychologist's practice is discussed considering: 1) the historical development of the profession in social welfare service; 2) a conceptual review on the significance of social policies in monopolist capitalism in facing the "social issue"; 3) a discussion on the impact of the neo-liberal reform of social policies in Brazil, including the emergence of the "third sector".

social policies; social responsibility; psychologist's practice