Environmental Psychology in Mexico: Development, Schools, Approaches

Maria Montero-López Lena (UNAM Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico)

Environmental psychology (EP) has an interesting history in Mexico. Overall, it is located in kind of Latin American context described by Victor Corral-Verdugo and Jose Pinheiro (2009), for which they point to the diversity of the natural environment, culture, world views, and traditions, among others. Different forces affected its development. This resulted in the formation of what might be termed as three schools with somewhat different foci. These will be described in detail. Importantly, the existence of these foci and schools suggests that not only is EP unique in Mexico, there is variety within Mexico. In fact, Corral-Verdugo and Pinheiro also suggested an “indigenous” EP.

Calling on our own work in loneliness, poverty, social ecological aspects, we will describe why we felt it important to study these subjects, how we decided to study them, and what we learned from and feel about them.

We will also reflect on about the research endeavor, what role culture and context plays or should play in the way research is engaged, and what might be done to make the research stronger for Mexico.