3rd meeting of young researchers at UP 1 - IJUP - Universidade do ...

Between psychology and theatre: The common ground of
expression and transformation of human emotions
Eduardo Silva and J.L.Coimbra
Department of Vocational Development and Lifelong Learning, Faculty of Psychology and Education,
University of Porto, Portugal.
The paper intends to present the possibilities of exploring commonalities between drama and
psychology as specific languages, structures, processes and contents, namely of meaningmaking
of human experience. The object of such an interface is centred in the emotional
dimension of psychological functioning, for which a theoretical perspective was constructed
based upon the integration of neuropsychology (e.g., Damásio, (2003) and constructivist recent
contributions (e.g., Guidano). In the drama/theater realm emotions and approached from the
point of view of the actor and of acting experience, stressing symbolisation processes as modes
of transforming them. The ultimate goal is to establish both theoretical and empirical bases for
the understanding of psychological change processes as they might acout in drama contexts,
including the analysis of drama as an asset for psychological interventions, especially those
expressly intend to work energetic, dynamic, affective-emotional aspects of human experience.
References:
Guidano, V.F.(1991). The self in process: toward a post-rationalist cognitive therapy. New York, The
Guilford Press.
Damásio, A. (2003). Looking for Spinoza. London, William Heinemann.
190 3 rd meeting of young researchers at UP