Lev Vygotsky Overheads
Carolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D.
Lev Vygotsky
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1896-1934 – sociocultural viewpoint of
cognitive development.
Died early before finishing his theory.
Vygotsky insisted that:
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Cognitive growth occurs in a sociocultural
context that influences the form it takes.
Many of the child’s skills = social
interactions.
Higher mental functions.
Tools of intellectual adaptation.
The Role of Society
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Society influences how to think and what to
think.
Human cognition = society.
Intellectual growth is not universal (as Piaget
claimed).
How children learn
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Discoveries take place within the
collaborative dialogue between the student &
tutor.
Example – child learning how to do his first
jigsaw puzzle.
The Zone of proximal development.
Active, not passive learning.
Difference between Vygotsky & Piaget
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Main difference = the role of the instructor.
Language, specifically egocentric speech.
Nonsocial speech.
Private speech.
Who is right? Berk (1992) favors Vygotsky
on this aspect of private speech or “self-talk”.