Developmental Psych

Vygotsky's Theory of Social Development

• Central tenets of Vygotsky's theory:

  • Emphasizes the significance of community and language in learning.

  • Contrasts with Piaget's staged theory of cognitive development; instead, Vygotsky posited that development occurs independently of fixed stages through social interactions.

Elementary Mental Functions

• According to Vygotsky, children are born with four elementary mental functions:

  • Attention

  • Sensation

  • Perception

  • Memory

• Development of higher mental functions relies on social and cultural environments that nurture these skills.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

• Definition of ZPD:

  • Represents the range of tasks that a child can perform with the assistance of a more knowledgeable other (MKO).

  • Three levels of competency:

    • What we can do independently.

    • What we can do with help (within the ZPD).

    • What we cannot do at all without assistance.

• Example scenario:

  • Twins raised in a biased environment:

    • Boys are expected to learn and succeed.

    • Girls are expected to prioritize beauty over skills.

    • Both children can crawl by age 10 and are in the ZPD for standing.

Role of the More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)

• Illustration of the MKO's role:

  • The father provides the boy with the opportunity to practice standing in a supportive, equipped playroom.

  • He encourages exploration of the equipment, leading the boy to pull himself up, then cruise along structures, and ultimately stand.

• In contrast:

  • The girl does not receive the same supportive environment, which restricts her opportunity to develop.

• Outcome comparison:

  • Boy quickly learns to balance and stand, moving ahead in his development.

  • The girl struggles due to lack of support, showing the importance of an MKO in cognitive development.

Implications for Learning

• Vygotsky's principles:

  • Successful learning requires the assistance of a capable mentor.

  • Only through guidance can learners reach their full potential.

  • Within the ZPD, children can acquire skills beyond their natural maturity.

Speech and Mental Concepts

• Vygotsky's perspective on speech:

  • Made a connection between speech and mental processes, proposing that:

    • Inner speech develops from gradually internalizing external speech.

    • Thought processes evolve from conversational interactions.

  • Younger children may exhibit externalized thinking (thinking out loud), while more advanced children manage independent inner speech.

Vygotsky's Legacy

• Early Death:

  • Lev Vygotsky passed away from tuberculosis in 1934 at age 37.

• Influence:

  • Despite his brief life, he became a prominent figure in 20th-century psychology.

• Educational advice:

  • Encourages educators to provide ample opportunities for students to engage in discussions with others to cultivate independent thinking skills.

Questions to Consider

• Can a child effectively learn without any developmental prerequisites?

• Is learning solely situated within social and cultural contexts?

• Should a more knowledgeable other determine a child's learning path?