PSYC 3222 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Lev Vygotsky, Social Cognitive Theory, Cognitive Development
30 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Piaget and vygotsky may have communicated with each other and each seems to have modified his theories as a result. Vygotsky introduced an important idea from russian psychology: the zone of proximal development. Culture and social interaction are involved in the development of human consciousness. Vygotsky"s theory emphasizes forces outside the child - in other words, the forces of culture. Social interaction is fundamental to the development of cognition. Cultures are very powerful, dynamic things that exert a tremendous influence on each member of the group. Vygotsky"s theory was shaped by his culture reflecting his marxist- socialist beliefs, particularly in the role he gives culture and social interaction in determining development. Cognitive development is mainly due to verbal/ nonverbal interaction between the child and adults. The child development language and, as a result, logical thinking. Vygotsky concluded that while language is a powerful tool for developing thought, thinking is not entirely dependent on language: language development.
