Caribbean Psychology : Indigenous Contributions to a Global Discipline

The Caribbean is a vast region where members of diverse ethnic groups speak many different languages and have ancestral ties to various continents. This cultural diversity results in an array of unique psychological needs. However, these groups all share a common history of colonialism, slavery, and indentured servitude that continues to impact them to this day. Thus, researchers, practitioners, and organizations must collaborate to create a unified Caribbean psychology that meets both the shared and disparate needs of those who live in the region and in the diaspora. This book brings together scholars from diverse fields, many of whom come from Caribbean backgrounds. Divided into five sections, the book begins with an overview of psychology in the Caribbean, arguing that psychology is biased towards the Euro-American perspective. Thus, it examines the conceptual bases for an indigenous approach to Caribbean psychology as part of a more globalized discipline. Each subsequent section focuses on a particular field of study: Developmental psychology, health and community psychology, social psychology, and clinical psychology. Chapters within these sections cover a range of topics that will benefit not only researchers and practitioners who focus on Caribbean-specific issues, but also those who seek a more international approach to psychology.