Psychology in Mexico. Historical background

Abstract

The fundamental purpose of this work is to provide a brief overview of the development of Psychology in Mexico up to the present day, and in particular at the School of Psychology (Escuela de Psicología) of the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí (Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí), which celebrated ten years of academic activity in September 1982.

Condensing and explaining half a century of Psychology’s development in Mexico in just a few short paragraphs is no easy task. However, we will note that during this time there have been several important transformations, both in the theoretical field and in the development of the profession. This article will focus on the theoretical transformations, historically framed within the development of three periods represented by three models: the Medical Model, the Psychometric-Experimental Model, and the Behaviorist Model. We wish to clarify that it is not our intention to question the procedures characterizing each model, but rather to present their historical development in Mexico.