Research
PUBLISHED WORK
Rivera-García, A. P., Rivera-García, C. A., & García-Granados, M. D. (2026). Emotion and the brain: How affective neuroscience is evolving in Mexico. In Neuroscience in Mexico: Scientific developments, clinical advances, public health, and policy challenges (pp. 39–58). Nova Science Publishers.
This chapter examines the development of affective neuroscience in Mexico and the growing contribution of emotion research to neuroscience, clinical practice and public policy.
MANUSCRIPTS UNDER REVIEW
Rivera-García, C. A. A terrifying journey to the centre of politics: Political centrism as an effect of mortality salience and a need for closure. Three experiments, total N = 602.
Examines whether mortality reminders and a need for closure can shift political preferences towards perceived consensus.
Rivera-García, C. A. Personality traits, need for cognitive closure, and political participation in a local election in Mexico.
Studies how personality and cognitive style are associated with electoral participation.
Rivera-García, C. A. Hacia el centro: Psicología del consenso, amenazas existenciales y vulnerabilidad democrática en América Latina [Toward the centre: Psychology of consensus, existential threats, and democratic vulnerability in Latin America].
Connects existential threat, consensus-seeking and democratic vulnerability in Latin America.
Rivera-García, C. A., & Rosas, M. Biosecurity or protection? Health and the international security agenda in the 21st century.
Examines how health risks are framed within contemporary international security.
WORK IN PROGRESS
Rivera-García, C. A. From traits to votes: Personality traits, cognitive styles, and political participation in Mexico’s 2024 elections.
Rivera-García, C. A. The psychological underpinnings of civic engagement and political participation among the Latino population in the United States. Data collection in progress.
Rivera-García, C. A. Emotions, identity, and collective trauma in Mexico.
Rivera-García, C. A. Miedo, consenso y cognición: Claves psicológicas para comprender la democracia latinoamericana.