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This paper emphasizes the study of cognitive variability across classification and inferential coordinations. Thirty-four children (4-years-old) participated in this study who attends six kindergartens in the city of Cali-Colombia. We used a task involving the use of up to five classification criteria. A microgenetic method was used to obtain the detailed data on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of change. To quantify changes in performance we used transition matrix (derived from Markov models). The results show three types of variability (patterns) which respond to different classification criteria and the use of different levels of inferential coordination. We conclude that the variability is the evidence of cognitive imbalances and those types of variability reflect different organizational dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows the relationship between Psychology and Public Health. The main tensions among these fields and the possible interdisciplinary conditions that will allow the production of beneficial effects in individual and population health are presented. Then, the encounters between Health Psychology -with a behavioral approach- and the dominant current of Public Health -based on an individualistic notion of the social and public issues- are described, especially in the areas of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Finally, some challenges for Colombian Psychology in order to advance in the integration with the Public Health in five scenarios are presented: as a field of knowledge, education, practice, research and as a scientific and professional community. The principal challenge is to develop a renovated approach from Health Psychology, constructing new models and approaches of individuality in relation to collectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]