Psychology and psychoanalysis in Brazil - From cultural syncretism to the collapse of liberal individualism

This paper focuses first on cultural syncretism, used to characterize Brazilian culture. The other aspect of this socially and racially blended culture is the unfinished assimilation of liberalism in politics and the economy, which defines Brazilian society. The increased assimilation and dissemination of psychology may be linked with these in cultural and social aspects. During the military period (1964-1974) the major expansion in university-level studies in psychology contributed ideologically to the dissemination of psychology throughout Brazilian society. This introduced a type of psychology that was related primarily to clinical practice and developed in opposition to social work practice. This paper examines the ideological bases for this conflict between clinical and social work. Criteria for understanding the cultural dissemination of psychoanalysis are then discussed, and it is argued that cultural incorporation of psychoanalysis involves the development of discourse complexes to reflect particular aspects of Brazilian society. The criteria (a non-totalitarian society and the displacement of a magical and religious interpretation of mental disturbance by psychiatric interpretation) are evaluated in relation to the peculiarities of Brazilian syncretism. The paper argues that cultural syncretism and the incomplete assimilation of liberal ideology must be included as criteria in understanding the particular cultural incorporation of psychoanalysis in Brazil.

NEW NOTES ON ""THE UNCANNY""

NEW NOTES ON ""THE UNCANNY"" The present paper expands the horizon of meanings associated with the concept of ""the uncanny"" (usually taken as an allegory for the return of the repressed). The narrative condition of the uncanny (or the experience of the limits of the ego), its relation to the primitive constitution of the psyche, the aspect of repetition, as well as its association with the ""fetish"" and the ""relic"" will be focused. It is our understanding that the concept of the uncanny should receive more attention from the psychoanalytic community. In fact, more attention and developments have been given to it from subjects as Linguistics, Literary Studies, Philosophy and Aesthetics, in general, than from Psychoanalysis itself Besides reflecting the neurotic functioning, the opposition homely/un-homely (uncanny) also refers to more primitive distinctions, such as self/not-self and inside/outside. The paper also addresses the romance The sea of fertility, by Yukio Mishima, so as to point out a singular aspect of the reading experience. Finally, the ideas of the fetish and of the relic will be analyzed from the point of view of the uncanny.

Framing the difficulties resulting from implementing a Participatory Management Model in a public hospital

Objective: This study aims to address difficulties reported by the nursing team during the process of changing the management model in a public hospital in Brazil. Methods: This qualitative study used thematic content analysis as proposed by Bardin, and data were analyzed using the theoretical framework of Bolman and Deal. Results: The vertical implementation of Participatory Management contradicted its underlying philosophy and thereby negatively influenced employee acceptance of the change. The decentralized structure of the Participatory Management Model was implemented but shared decision-making was only partially utilized. Despite facilitation of the communication process within the unit, more significant difficulties arose from lack of communication inter-unit. Values and principals need to be shared by teams, however, that will happens only if managers restructure accountabilities changing job descriptions of all team members. Conclusion: Innovative management models that depart from the premise of decentralized decision-making and increased communication encourage accountability, increased motivation and satisfaction, and contribute to improving the quality of care. The contribution of the study is that it describes the complexity of implementing an innovative management model, examines dissent and intentionally acknowledges the difficulties faced by employees in the organization.

O vocabulário metapsicológico de Sigmund Freud: da língua alemã às suas traduções

O presente artigo objetiva uma discussão sobre o vocabulário fundamental da Metapsicologia freudiana, para além da concepção de um simples e estanque agrupado de termos técnicos. Levando-se também em consideração o fato de que Freud foi um escritor brilhante e um perspicaz explorador dos recursos oferecidos pela língua alemã, é nossa intenção demonstrar certas distorções de seu estilo e vocabulário sofridas após ter passado por traduções internacionalmente influentes para as línguas inglesa e francesa. Logo, com a recente entrada da obra freudiana para o domínio público, esta finalmente passou a ser traduzida diretamente para o português, tornando-se atualmente um desafio fundamental aos tradutores brasileiros de Freud recuperar a vivacidade de suas palavras sem deixar de levar em consideração a acuidade de suas proposições.