Histórias de vida, opções teóricas em psicologia: uma abordagem fenomenológica

Abstract

The aim of this master s thesis is to comprehend, based on the phenomenological method, how the religious beliefs of catholic clinical psychologists influence their theoretical choices. In order to reach this purpose, some interviews were made with some catholic clinical psychologists who have been worked for more than five years in the clinical field. The analyses of the interviews were developed following Giorgi (1985) s proposal and according to the authors of a Phenomenological approach. This study allowed us to evidence some conclusions: the religious beliefs of catholic clinical psychologist influence their theoretical choices; it s possible to find a place in the field of Psychology that can welcome the psychologist and where he can develop well his professional function consonant to his religious beliefs; Psychology and Religion are different but not necessarily dissonant fields, and if they are respected in their specific subject, they can contribute for a psychologists and religious people s competent action; the psychologist s history of life and religious beliefs influence each theoretical choice in Psychology depending on how each person gives a sense for his experiences. As a result, it s important that psychologists accept and try to comprehend his own religious experiences and also his client s