The objective of this article is to provide theoretical and methodological support to the psychologist's professional performance in the development of public policies from the point of view of human rights. It is believed that this perspective is of great importance in the contemporary context, which has been influenced by social processes geared towards the pedagogicalization and the medicalization of individuals who diverge from the normative patterns of being. In order to meet this objective, we have put forward some basic principles which are based on Sawaia's ethical-political perspective on psychology and Vygotski´s culturalhistorical perspective. Prime amongst those principles are the notions that the psychologist's professional performance in public policies should: a) aim to break free from patterns that normalize and oppress human diversity, b) take into account the subjective dimension of work alongside with public policies, c) empower individuals so as to help them overcome processes of exclusion and d) promote the individuals' social participation in the development of public policies. To conclude, we support that the psychologist's performance should have the empowering of individuals and the acknowledgement of their humanity as its ethical drive.
Public policies; Psychologist's performance; Human rights; Citizenship
