Contributions from the historical-cultural theory to the psychoeducational assessment process

Abstract

This article presents contributions from the historical-cultural psychology to the critical analysis of the traditional psychoeducational assessment as well as postulating the basis for a new assessing modality. Such proposal is justifiable through the present revitalization of the usage of standardized testings to measure the psychological functions, due to the vulgarization of the neuropsychology. Historically, the standardized tests have been used to scientifically assert the ideology of equality among the people in the capitalist society which maintains itself through expropriation and exclusion. Besides, there is a strong tendency to hope for their results explain intelligence as innate or consider the hereditary predispositions to learn, which goes against the comprehension that the mental functions are formed in the historical-social development, through the appropriation of the human culture. Therefore, an assessment which considers the social mediations (instruments and signs) as components of the psychological functions is necessary, promoting development of every individual, and not legitimating the social exclusion.