Understanding the import of social environment and guidance on the inventive- skill acquisition of youngsters in a sample of a developing country: any psychological implications?

Abstract

This study investigated the import of social environment and guidance on the inventive -skill acquisition of the youngsters in a sample of a developing country. The study grouped the sample country into eastern, western and northern regions. Thirty-six participants, twelve from each region (6 men, 6 women) completed the semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data collected was analyzed using a grounded theory approach. The findings presented understanding of the impact of social environment and guidance on the inventive- skill acquisition. Qualitative interviews unveiled the presence of ecosystems that propelled and sustained skill acquisition. Guiding the youngsters to use raw materials like clay soil and palms in the east, cocoa and cotton in the west, hides and skins in the north during hand-work period at junior school levels widens the scope of mental domain and propels inventive- skill acquisition. Through thematic analysis, the study revealed that variegated items in the social environment can ginger or propel inventive- skill acquisition interest in young people when well guided.

Keywords: Social environment, inventive- skill- acquisition, guidance, ecosystems, gift of nature, youngsters