[Basic methodological considerations in conducting psychological research in Latin America].

This paper suggests that research on human behavior conducted in Latin America must be particularly careful in avoiding the false assumption that methods and constructs developed in one culture are equally valid in another. Three areas are proposed in which researchers must be particularly careful: Proper understanding of the emic/etic difference, that is properly differentiating between what is universal and applicable across cultures (etic) and what reflects the peculiarities of one cultural group. Establishment of appropriate equivalences: Conceptual (where constructs have the same meanings across cultures); linguistic (whereby words share the same connotative and denotative meanings); and, metric. Control of variables related to an individual's subjective culture that may influence response patterns and accuracy (e.g., social desirability, self-presentation needs, etc.).