Ângelo Brandelli Costa

Serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with gender identity disorder

Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is characterized by a strong and persistent cross-gender identification that affects different aspects of behavior. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity. Altered BDNF-signaling is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of psychiatric disordersand is related to traumatic life events. To examine serum BDNF levels, we compared one group of DSM-IV GID patients (n = 45) and one healthy control group (n = 66). Serum BDNF levels were significantly decreased in GID patients (p = 0.013). This data support the hypothesis that the reduction found in serum BDNF levels in GID patients may be related to the psychological abuse that transsexuals are exposed during their life.

Homofobia e preconceito contra diversidade sexual: debate conceitual

The term homophobia has been widely used for the conceptualization of violence and discrimination against individuals who have different sexual orientation from heterosexual. Despite its current use, it is almost ignored, especially in Brazil, the extensive theoretical discussion and controversy around the term since it was coined in the 1970 in the USA. This study discusses the emergence of the term homophobia its uses, limits, possibilities and theoretical implications. It will also addresses the reinterpretations of the idea of homophobia by social psychology using the concept of prejudice and per extent attitudes. Finally, it is defended the use of the construction “prejudice against sexual diversity” as an alternative to homophobia to better defi ne the phenomenon in the individual point of view.The term homophobia has been widely used for the conceptualization of violence and discrimination against individuals who have different sexual orientation from heterosexual. Despite its current use, it is almost ignored, especially in Brazil, the extensive theoretical discussion and controversy around the term since it was coined in the 1970 in the USA. This study discusses the emergence of the term homophobia its uses, limits, possibilities and theoretical implications. It will also addresses the reinterpretations of the idea of homophobia by social psychology using the concept of prejudice and per extent attitudes. Finally, it is defended the use of the construction “prejudice against sexual diversity” as an alternative to homophobia to better defi ne the phenomenon in the individual point of view.

Psicologia e publicidade: velhos e novos encontros

The lack of discussion and proposals of new perspectives for the interfaces psychology/advetising leads to a theoretical, practical and ethical work merged in an academic project with what we are calling consumption operators. The purpose of this writing is to discuss, based on contemporary social psychology, relevant questions concerning this interface that rose during the project. We discussed the status of communication regarding advertising and the possibility to communicate something else, differently and with other effects. The analysis pointed to a distance between advertising and recent concepts of communication and also the need to take into account social subjects having in mind the increased creation of other ways of life.

Attitudes Among Brazilian University Undergraduates Regarding Cinema with Contents on Sexual Diversity

In this experience repport we describe an event using cinema as a way to promote affirmative actions regarding sexual diversity among psychology undergraduates. As undergraduate students, we identify the need of a debate that could overcome the boundaries of the traditional notions of gender, sexuality and desire, in order to rethink what is considered pathological/deviant. Our experience showed that presenting cinema dealing with sexual diversity to our fellow students is not a powerful proposal. We came to the conclusion that this is due to the historical prescriptive context of psychology in southern Brazil.

A diversidade sexual no ensino de Psicologia. O cinema como ferramenta de intervenção e pesquisa: El cine como herramienta de intervención e investigación

A diversidade sexual no ensino de Psicologia. O cinema como ferramenta de intervenc?a?o e pesquisa O contexto da formac?a?o em psicologia e? tradicionalmente marcado pela patologizac?a?o das performances de ge?nero e das sexualidades que fogem a? matriz heteronormativa. A ause?ncia da discussa?o sobre a diversidade sexual na formac?a?o em psicologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul motivou o projeto de pesquisa-intervenc?a?o aqui apresentado. O objetivo foi estimular o debate sobre a diversidade sexual utilizando o cinema como dis- parador de discusso?es em graduandos em psicologia, a fim de se compreenderem suas crenc?as e atitudes sobre a tema?tica. As ana?lises apontam para a resiste?ncia a? discussa?o desta tema?tica para ale?m das abordagens tradicionais, as quais situam a diversidade sexual no campo da psicopatologia. No entanto, apesar da resiste?ncia, foi possi?vel criar um espac?o para a discussa?o que possibilitou ao corpo discente e docente refletir sobre o tema. Palavras-chave: diversidade sexual; ensino superior; ensino de psicologia; cinema; intervenc?a?o La diversidad sexual en la ensen?anza de Psicologi?a. El cine como herramienta de intervencio?n e investigacio?n La formacio?n universitaria en Psicologi?a ha estado marcada por la patologizacio?n de las performances de ge?nero y de las sexualidades que escapan a la matriz heteronormativa. El proyecto de investigacio?n-intervencio?n que presentamos en este arti?culo se origina en la ausencia de una discusio?n sobre la diversidad sexual en la carrera de Psicologi?a de la Universidad Federal de Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil). El objetivo fue estimular el debate sobre la diversidad sexual, utilizando el cine como disparador de discusiones entre estudiantes de Psicologi?a, a fin de conocer y comprender creencias y actitudes sobre la cuestio?n. Los ana?lisis sen?alan una resistencia a discutir acerca de esta tema?tica ma?s alla? de los abordajes tradicionales, que situan la diversidad sexual en el campo de la psicopatologi?a. Sin embargo, a pesar de esa resistencia se pudo crear un espacio para el debate que permitio?, tanto a estudiantes cuanto a docentes, reflexionar sobre la tema?tica. Palabras clave: diversidad sexual; educacio?n superior; ensen?anza de psicologi?a; cine; intervencio?n Sexual diversity in psychology training. Cinema as a tool for intervention and research University training in psychology has traditionally been informed by pathological views on those sexual and gender performances not conforming to the hetero-normative matrix. This intervention and research project was motivated by the absence of discussion on sexual diversity within the undergraduate program in psychology at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The goal was to stimulate the debate on sexual diversity. Cinema was used as a trigger for undergraduate students to discuss and elaborate on their beliefs and attitudes about the topic. The results indicate resistance to discussions beyond the traditional approaches which situate sexual diversity in the field of psychopathology. However, despite that resistance, it was possible to create a space for discussion, which made it possible for teachers and students to reflect on the topic. Keywords: sexual diversity; Higher Education; Psychology Education; films; school based intervention

La diversidad sexual en la enseñanza de Psicología: Cinema as a tool for intervention and research

A diversidade sexual no ensino de Psicologia. O cinema como ferramenta de intervenc?a?o e pesquisa O contexto da formac?a?o em psicologia e? tradicionalmente marcado pela patologizac?a?o das performances de ge?nero e das sexualidades que fogem a? matriz heteronormativa. A ause?ncia da discussa?o sobre a diversidade sexual na formac?a?o em psicologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul motivou o projeto de pesquisa-intervenc?a?o aqui apresentado. O objetivo foi estimular o debate sobre a diversidade sexual utilizando o cinema como dis- parador de discusso?es em graduandos em psicologia, a fim de se compreenderem suas crenc?as e atitudes sobre a tema?tica. As ana?lises apontam para a resiste?ncia a? discussa?o desta tema?tica para ale?m das abordagens tradicionais, as quais situam a diversidade sexual no campo da psicopatologia. No entanto, apesar da resiste?ncia, foi possi?vel criar um espac?o para a discussa?o que possibilitou ao corpo discente e docente refletir sobre o tema. Palavras-chave: diversidade sexual; ensino superior; ensino de psicologia; cinema; intervenc?a?o La diversidad sexual en la ensen?anza de Psicologi?a. El cine como herramienta de intervencio?n e investigacio?n La formacio?n universitaria en Psicologi?a ha estado marcada por la patologizacio?n de las performances de ge?nero y de las sexualidades que escapan a la matriz heteronormativa. El proyecto de investigacio?n-intervencio?n que presentamos en este arti?culo se origina en la ausencia de una discusio?n sobre la diversidad sexual en la carrera de Psicologi?a de la Universidad Federal de Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil). El objetivo fue estimular el debate sobre la diversidad sexual, utilizando el cine como disparador de discusiones entre estudiantes de Psicologi?a, a fin de conocer y comprender creencias y actitudes sobre la cuestio?n. Los ana?lisis sen?alan una resistencia a discutir acerca de esta tema?tica ma?s alla? de los abordajes tradicionales, que situan la diversidad sexual en el campo de la psicopatologi?a. Sin embargo, a pesar de esa resistencia se pudo crear un espacio para el debate que permitio?, tanto a estudiantes cuanto a docentes, reflexionar sobre la tema?tica. Palabras clave: diversidad sexual; educacio?n superior; ensen?anza de psicologi?a; cine; intervencio?n Sexual diversity in psychology training. Cinema as a tool for intervention and research University training in psychology has traditionally been informed by pathological views on those sexual and gender performances not conforming to the hetero-normative matrix. This intervention and research project was motivated by the absence of discussion on sexual diversity within the undergraduate program in psychology at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The goal was to stimulate the debate on sexual diversity. Cinema was used as a trigger for undergraduate students to discuss and elaborate on their beliefs and attitudes about the topic. The results indicate resistance to discussions beyond the traditional approaches which situate sexual diversity in the field of psychopathology. However, despite that resistance, it was possible to create a space for discussion, which made it possible for teachers and students to reflect on the topic. Keywords: sexual diversity; Higher Education; Psychology Education; films; school based intervention

Sexual diversity in psychology training

A diversidade sexual no ensino de Psicologia. O cinema como ferramenta de intervenc?a?o e pesquisa O contexto da formac?a?o em psicologia e? tradicionalmente marcado pela patologizac?a?o das performances de ge?nero e das sexualidades que fogem a? matriz heteronormativa. A ause?ncia da discussa?o sobre a diversidade sexual na formac?a?o em psicologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul motivou o projeto de pesquisa-intervenc?a?o aqui apresentado. O objetivo foi estimular o debate sobre a diversidade sexual utilizando o cinema como dis- parador de discusso?es em graduandos em psicologia, a fim de se compreenderem suas crenc?as e atitudes sobre a tema?tica. As ana?lises apontam para a resiste?ncia a? discussa?o desta tema?tica para ale?m das abordagens tradicionais, as quais situam a diversidade sexual no campo da psicopatologia. No entanto, apesar da resiste?ncia, foi possi?vel criar um espac?o para a discussa?o que possibilitou ao corpo discente e docente refletir sobre o tema. Palavras-chave: diversidade sexual; ensino superior; ensino de psicologia; cinema; intervenc?a?o La diversidad sexual en la ensen?anza de Psicologi?a. El cine como herramienta de intervencio?n e investigacio?n La formacio?n universitaria en Psicologi?a ha estado marcada por la patologizacio?n de las performances de ge?nero y de las sexualidades que escapan a la matriz heteronormativa. El proyecto de investigacio?n-intervencio?n que presentamos en este arti?culo se origina en la ausencia de una discusio?n sobre la diversidad sexual en la carrera de Psicologi?a de la Universidad Federal de Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil). El objetivo fue estimular el debate sobre la diversidad sexual, utilizando el cine como disparador de discusiones entre estudiantes de Psicologi?a, a fin de conocer y comprender creencias y actitudes sobre la cuestio?n. Los ana?lisis sen?alan una resistencia a discutir acerca de esta tema?tica ma?s alla? de los abordajes tradicionales, que situan la diversidad sexual en el campo de la psicopatologi?a. Sin embargo, a pesar de esa resistencia se pudo crear un espacio para el debate que permitio?, tanto a estudiantes cuanto a docentes, reflexionar sobre la tema?tica. Palabras clave: diversidad sexual; educacio?n superior; ensen?anza de psicologi?a; cine; intervencio?n Sexual diversity in psychology training. Cinema as a tool for intervention and research University training in psychology has traditionally been informed by pathological views on those sexual and gender performances not conforming to the hetero-normative matrix. This intervention and research project was motivated by the absence of discussion on sexual diversity within the undergraduate program in psychology at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The goal was to stimulate the debate on sexual diversity. Cinema was used as a trigger for undergraduate students to discuss and elaborate on their beliefs and attitudes about the topic. The results indicate resistance to discussions beyond the traditional approaches which situate sexual diversity in the field of psychopathology. However, despite that resistance, it was possible to create a space for discussion, which made it possible for teachers and students to reflect on the topic. Keywords: sexual diversity; Higher Education; Psychology Education; films; school based intervention