Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory

Sociocultural Theory

A theory that emphasizes the importance of social interactions and cultural contexts in cognitive development.

Culture

The set of shared behaviors, values, and beliefs that define a group of people.

Lev Vygotsky

A Russian psychologist known for his work on cognitive development and for developing Sociocultural Theory.

Perezhivanie

A child's emotional experience that affects their processing and development in response to their social environment.

Social Interaction as the Basis of Learning

The notion that human learning originates in social environments before becoming internalized as individual knowledge.

Interpsychological

Refers to social level interactions occurring between people in learning.

Intrapsychological

Refers to internalized knowledge that occurs within the individual after social interactions.

Cultural Artifacts

Language, symbols, and traditions transmitted during social interactions, enriching cognitive development.

Dialogue-based Framework

A structure where learners exchange ideas and clarify thoughts through social interaction.

Imitation and Modeling

Process by which children learn by observing and imitating behaviors demonstrated by others.

Internalization

The transformation of shared experiences into personal knowledge by children over time.

Language as a Mediating Tool

Language is central to social interaction and serves as a primary tool for cognitive development.

More Knowledgeable Others (MKOs)

Individuals or tools providing support and guidance within a learner's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).

Scaffolding

Temporary support provided by MKOs that is gradually removed as the learner becomes more independent.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

The difference between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance.

Zone of Achieved Development (ZAD)

Where the learner is right now, indicating their current skill level.

Constructivism

A learning theory that emphasizes the learner's active role in gaining knowledge, influenced by their social context.

Social constructivist

An approach that emphasizes learning through social interaction and cultural tools.

Egocentric Speech

A form of communication in which children talk to themselves as a way to organize thoughts, showing the role of language in shaping thought.

Learning Environment

The physical or virtual settings in which learning occurs, influencing the effectiveness of education.

Peer Learning

Learning that occurs through social interactions with peers, enhancing understanding and skills.

Constructivist Teaching

A teaching approach that encourages students to construct their own understanding and knowledge through experiences.

Scaffolding Techniques

Strategies used by educators to provide temporary support, helping learners master new concepts.

Active Learning

An instructional method that engages students in the learning process, requiring them to actively participate.

Collaborative Learning

A situation in which individuals work together to achieve shared learning goals.

Formative Assessment

Assessments conducted during the learning process to monitor student progress and improve learning outcomes.

Multimodal Learning

A learning approach that incorporates multiple modes of information presentation, enhancing understanding and retention.

Critical Thinking

The ability to analyze information objectively and make reasoned judgments.

Feedback Loops

Processes where feedback is used to improve learning and understanding continuously.