Download Vygotsky`s Socio Cultural Theory

Autumn Dolin
CI 634
Vygotsky’s Socio Cultural Theory
The focus of Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory of development is the roles of social
and cultural factors in children’s development in general and cognitive and
language development in particular. The central themes of his theory emphasize
that cognitive development comes as the result of social interaction and thinking
is mediated by cultural tools, language being one of the most important cultural
tools. Unlike Piaget whose analysis focuses on the individual child, Vygotsky
perceives the social environment as an important aspect of children’s thinking
and behavior. Another important aspect of Vygotsky’s theory states that higher
cognitive development depends what he call the Zone of Proximal
Development(ZPD): “a level of development attained when children engage in
social behavior”( http://tip.psychology.org/vygotsky.html ) For him, full
development occurs through full social interaction.
How do social and cultural influences impact thought and
development? Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky, was intrigued by
the thought of how the social world effects children, and through his
research he founded the socio-cultural theory. Vygotsky believed that
“children were living in the midst of other people eager to help them
acquire skills needed to live in that culture” (Siegler & Alibali, 2005).
There are many focal points to the socio cultural theories. Two
points of focus of Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory are: cognitive
development occurs in social interaction, and psychological functioning
is mediated by cultural tools, including language (Siegler & Alibali,
2005).
Additional themes that have came about in the last few
decades emphasize cultural norms influences over children’s
opportunities and the fact that social and cultural learning require
“particular cognitive abilities on the parts of learners and teachers”
(Siegler & Alibali, 2005).
Development occurs in social interaction refers to the
interactions children directly come on contact with on an everyday
occurrence. These interactions are with family members, siblings,
babysitters, neighbors, teachers, and even peers. Vygotsky also
believed in the concept of the zone of proximal development. The
zone of proximal development is defined as the distance between what
a child can independently do versus what a child can do with the
interaction of a more advanced individual (Siegler &Alibali, 2005).
Psychological functioning is mediated by language and other
cultural tools explain that behavior is not only molded by social
interactions but also by the different cultural tools available. Language
is believed to be the tool that regulates behavior, planning,
remembering, and problem solving. Today, many educators use tools
such as maps, diagrams, songs, and even computers to enhance
cognition.
Today, society dictates the activities children participate in.
Many cultures do not offer schooling, but rather expect children to
work. This greatly will affect the type of learning that children of these
cultures know versus children of a pro educational society.
Vygotsky stated that, "Every function in the child's cultural
development appears twice: first, on the social level, and later, on the
individual level; first, between people and then inside the child”
(psychology.about.com/vygotsky). I agree with this, as well as,
Vygotsky’s points of focus. Cognitive development occurs in social
interaction, and psychological functioning is mediated by cultural tools,
including language is I believe to be the building blocks for children’s
cognition. I also agree that development develops within social
interactions. I believe that the amount of knowledge obtained during
interactions among children is immeasurable. I also believe that
language and cultural tools play a large part on a society’s way of life.
References
Siegler, R. & Alibali, M. (2005). Children’s thinking. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice-Hall,Inc.
Cherry, Kendra (2012). What is socio culture theory? About.com
Psychology. Retrieved Feb. 9, 2012.
Banks, Candace (2011). Vygotsky’s socio culture theory.
Tip.psychology.org Retrieved Feb. 11, 2012
Warner, Jennifer. "Childhood development ages and stages." WebMD.
WebMD, 2 April, 2012