In this episode of “Praxical violence and praxical integrity: A critical analysis of social policies for poverty intervention,” hosts Marianne Daher, Antonia Rosati, and María José Campero delve into their research project on praxical violence in public policies for poverty intervention in Chile. The hosts, who are community psychologists, discuss the concept of praxical violence as a specific form of violence that occurs within social programs, involving institutional framework, intervention agents and participants. 

The hosts aimed to shed light on the complexities and challenges surrounding social programs and the impact that praxical violence has on institutions, participants and intervention agents. They also reflect on the need for collective effort to develop praxical integrity in social programs, working towards creating more symmetrical and empowering interventions.

Praxical violence is defined as the asymmetrical exercise of power by a subject (institutional framework, intervention agents, or participants) in symbolic and practical dimensions, which targets an object (intervention agent or participant), resulting in a relationship that is detrimental to the actors involved and to the aims of the public policy and social intervention (Daher et al., 2023).

The discussion focuses on the experiences of participants and intervention agents within the institutional framework. Participants face violence through a macro-numerical and objectifying logic of public policy, feeling used without receiving the intended interventions. Judgment, accusations of lying, and the control of family dynamics contribute to the violence. Methodological rigidity, contradictions, and exclusion based on education or income perpetuate dependency. Intervention agents may exert symbolic violence by trivializing participants’ lives or denigrating their conditions. Praxical violence includes distant treatment, derogatory references, and poor implementation of interventions. Participants also exhibit violence towards agents, themselves, and other participants through resistance, poor interactional practices, and criticism.

To overcome praxical violence, the hosts propose praxical integrity which is defined as the exercise of symmetrical power, through symbolic approaches and practical intervention actions, related to the institutional framework and the bond between intervention agent and participant, establishing a relationship that is nourishing to the actors involved and the aims of the public policy and social intervention (Daher et al., 2023).

This exercise considers approaches within the institutional framework, such as rights-guarantee, participatory, situated, critical, and caring approaches. Strengthening the bond between agents and participants through empathy, trust, and mutual responsibility is crucial. Empowering participants, promoting awareness and reflexivity, and fostering dignity and humanization are essential strategies. The hosts emphasize the need to address cases of violence seriously, while acknowledging the role of the community in recognizing and transforming power relations. 

The hosts’ research project aims to contribute to a larger transformation in social programs, promoting positive change and empowering vulnerable individuals.

• Daher, M., Rosati, A., Campero, M.J., Guarda, T. & Bunster, E. (2022). Strengthened bond between intervention agent and participant in psychosocial and community programs: from an administrative relationship to a technical-affective bond. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 32(5), 814-829. https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2601
• Daher, M., Rosati, A. & Cifuentes, S. (2023). Report Failure in Applied Research and Social Program Evaluation: An Invitation to Epistemic Integrity. Review of General Psychology. Online first. https://doi.org/10.1177/10892680231170018