Psychology’s social representations of CRAS’ users: culpabilization of subject in situation of social vulnerability

Abstract

This article aims to discuss the culpabilization of individuals for their social vulnerability. The study which originated this article seeks to investigate the social representations of psychologists working at CRAS (Centro de Referência de Assistência Social / Reference Center for Social Assistance) towards users of that service. Data come from 21 interviews with psychologists. Data were subjected to discourse analysis. Results point out to individual users of CRAS are deemed responsible and to blame for their own condition despite social political and economic aspects inherent to capitalism which lie at the heart of those situations.