[Psychology training in Latin America]

Although there is not such a thing as a sole criterion to define the origins of Psychology as an autonomous discipline, it is the author's contention that the roots for such an autonomy are to be found in the emergence of professional psychologists in the USA by the turn of the 19th century. Latin America has based its academic courses on the utilitarian, professionally-oriented American pattern considering, however, European sources for designing curricula. Latin American countries with a higher development level such as Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil are endowed with an excellent level as regards both their advancements in research, and legal achievements. Despite the different national traits, Latin American Psychology as a whole shares common features such as: its being originated in Humanities Departments at universities, its evolution from Psychometrics to the fostering of human resources, and its struggles so that it could eventually be differentiated from other professions. It is rather difficult to issue reliable predictions for the time being since quite heterogeneous social as well as historical factors bear on Latin American science and Latin American professionals alike.