PSYCHOLOGY AND NEOLIBERAL GOVERNMENTALITY: THE CASE OF CHILE'S CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

This review article proposes a general route regarding to the presence of the theoretical constructs from the psychological knowledge in the design of various devices by which the State intervenes social life of individuals. The role of evidence that is assigned to psychological knowledge in the contemporary scene of an advanced liberal or neoliberal policy is characterized. The connection between psychology and neoliberal governmen-tality is exemplified by analyzing the design of social policies for children in Chile, and particularly, about the establishment of attachment theory as a theoretical framework proposed by experts to design a comprehensive protection system for children.