LEV VYGOTSKY (1896-1943)

By: Jessica Abram, Sarah Baker & Jodi Helkie

Biography

•A Russian psychologist•Received a law degree from Moscow

University•He was an active scholar when Piaget was

forming his theory•He passed away before his work was

complete, at the age of 38

Sociocultural Theory

•Children acquire their culture’s values, beliefs, and problem-solving strategies through collaborative dialogues with more knowledgeable members of society

•Cognitive skills evolve from social interactions with teacher, parents, and other competent associates.

•He viewed cognitive growth as a socially mediated activity

Learning

•Children learn first through social interactions

•Learning gradually becomes under the child’s control

•Cognitive development varies across cultures depending on their specific experiences

Zone of Proximal Development

•Tasks are too complex and can only be accomplished with guidance and encouragement from a more skillful partner

•Scaffolding

Related to Sara Porter

•Children learn first through social interactions

•Learning gradually becomes under the child’s control

•Cognitive development varies across cultures depending on their specific experiences

•Socially mediated activity•Zone of proximal development

Bibliography

•http://starfsfolk.khi.is/solrunb/vygotsky.htm

•Shaffer, David, Eileen Wood and Teena Willoughby. Developmental Psychology Childhood and Adolescence. 2nd ed. Canada: Thomson/Nelson, 2005.

•http://tip.psychology.org/vygotsky.html