Human Development Paradigm

It has been recognized that although the study of an individual’s thoughts, feelings and actions is the core aspects of social psychology, there is a need to take more notice of the environment, its culture and its institutions- the more social aspects of social psychology. These factors have a major impact on a nation, since social settings, organization and institutions shape outlook and actions of its people. A nation’s history shapes a society and dictates its attitude and behaviour. The history of the Caribbean people is one of exploitation, trickery and oppression. It has entrenched in the psyche of the people, a feeling of inferiority, lack of self-confidence and no sense of belonging or self-worth. The colonial influence was a strong element in the Trinidad and Tobago. It is evident in our political, educational, economic, and social systems. It has had a profound effect on its citizens even to this day, in the way we were socialized to think and behave. Moreover, it is evident in our education system, whereby there is a dominant outward-looking psychology which is perpetuated through our approaches to teaching and learning. Solutions to many of these issues can be addressed by the Human Development Paradigm.

In the post emancipation period, education was not used as a means of personal development, but contained hidden agenda. It was used as a mechanism to reinforce the ideology of superiority of the Europeans. The islands had a tradition of dominance from abroad and a dependence on foreign direction. The British was able to anglicize education, without regard for the individual’s culture (Campbell, 1997). The education system inherited from the British Colonial rule was elitist and examination-oriented; it was designed to segregate students on merit (De Lisle 2010). Those who were afforded the opportunity of education, met with a totally British curriculum, from which began the premise that all things foreign were superior. As a result, the colonial...