Synopsis of key persons, events, and associations in the history of Latino psychology.

Abstract

In this article, we present a brief synopsis of six early Latino psychologists, several key conferences, the establishment of research centers, and early efforts to create an association for Latino psychologists. Our chronology runs from approximately 1930 to 2000. This history is a firsthand account of how these early leaders, conferences, and efforts to bring Latinos and Latinas together served as a backdrop to current research and practice in Latino psychology. This history of individuals and events is also intertwined with the American Psychological Association and the National Institute of Mental Health and efforts by Latino psychologists to obtain the professional support necessary to lay down the roots of a Latino presence in psychology.

Liderazgo: Culturally Grounded Leadership and the National Latina/o Psychological Association

“…They felt it was important to honor the history of Latina/o psychology in the United States as well as set a course for future research. Latina/o psychology in the United States can be traced to the 1930s with the seminal work of George I. Sánchez, who is considered the first Latina/o psychologist and founder of Chicana/o psychology (Padilla & Olmedo, 2009). Other renowned pioneer psychologists such Alfredo Castañeda (1923-1981), Carlos Albizu Miranda (1920-1984), Martha Bernal (1931-2001), and Amado Padilla paved the way to position Latina/o psychology as central in research, training, and practice (Padilla & Olmedo, 2009).…”

“…Latina/o psychology in the United States can be traced to the 1930s with the seminal work of George I. Sánchez, who is considered the first Latina/o psychologist and founder of Chicana/o psychology (Padilla & Olmedo, 2009). Other renowned pioneer psychologists such Alfredo Castañeda (1923-1981), Carlos Albizu Miranda (1920-1984), Martha Bernal (1931-2001), and Amado Padilla paved the way to position Latina/o psychology as central in research, training, and practice (Padilla & Olmedo, 2009). Their work shaped and advanced scholarship on a wide range of topics and validated the need to create a distinctive space for Latina/o psychology.…”

Tribute to Raymond Buriel (1948-2017): A Passionate Advocate for Chicana/o Studies and a Pioneer of Latinx Psychology

“…As an undergraduate and graduate student, Ray Buriel was trained and mentored by two historically important scholars who contributed to the creation of Chicana/o-Latina/o Atudies and the professional development of Latina/o psychologists, Alfredo Castaneda and Manuel Ramirez III (Padilla & Olmedo, 2009). Castaneda was one of the most cited and prolific child psychology researchers from the 1950s to the 1970s.…”

“…A contributing factor to the establishment of Latinx Psychology was the HJBS (Padilla, 2003). Since its founding, HJBS has published many of the leading research and most cited articles on Latinx psychology and mental health (Padilla & Olmedo, 2009). Buriel served on the HJBS editorial board for 35 years.…”

“…In 1973, Castaneda and Ramirez obtained funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to convene the first professional gathering of Chicano psychologists titled, “Increasing Educational Opportunities for Chicanos in Psychology.” Buriel participated in this conference as a first-year doctoral student (Padilla & Olmedo, 2009). Soon after he enrolled as an undergraduate student at UCR, Manuel Ramirez took him under his wing.…”