Abstract

SEIDL-DE-MOURA, Maria Lucia. Science and Social Psychology in Pandemic Times: 30th Anniversary of PPGPS/UERJ. Estud. pesqui. psicol. [online]. 2021, vol.21, n.3, pp. 1249-1270. ISSN 1808-4281.  http://dx.doi.org/10.12957/epp.2021.62740.

This text was prepared to follow the inaugural class commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Graduate Program in Psychology at the University of the State of Rio de Janeiro. It is intended to argue that in these pandemic times, more than ever, science in all its areas, not only biological ones, is necessary, indispensable, and fundamental. Thus, it is proposed that Social Psychology has an important role to play. This argument is illustrated with some theoretical examples and scientific evidence. After brief considerations about the creation of the program and an introduction to the pandemic, two main axes are dealt with: the understanding of the psychosocial processes involved in the adoption of pandemic control practices, and the provision of evidence for campaigns in this regard; the understanding of the social and psychological effects of the pandemic and ways of coping with them. It concludes with an optimistic note regarding the scientific response to the challenge of the pandemic situation.

Keywords : pandemic; science; social psychology; history of psychology.

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