This study tried to do a survey of some elements that indicate how the psychologist is perceived. The participants were people from João Pessoa (PB), Brazil, interviewed and divided in three groups: ordinary people (n=42), Nursery students (n=43) and Psychology students (n=52). All of them were submitted to a word-free association when they heard the word psychologist. The results showed that in all groups the psychologist was perceived as a professional that worked into mental health and as a promoter of psychological care. Some individuals of ordinary people group could not answer it. The Nursery students approached to a realistic practice of the psychologist in comparison to ordinary people group. Only the psychology students showed special attention to humanitarian aspects of the psychologist care. The results were debated from a link among the perception of each group and the main social aspects of them.
Psychology in Brazil; Psychologist; Profession
