Vygotsky

Vygotsky – Social Development Theory 1896-1934

Social development theory argues that social interaction precedes development meaning that consciousness and cognition is the end product of socialization and social behaviour.  Vygotskys’ theory is one of foundations of constructivism and consists of 3 major components known as “themes”.

The first major theme is Social interaction. Social interaction plays a fundamental role in the process of cognitive development. Vygotskys’ theory is the completely opposite of what biologist Jean Piaget’s proposed in his theory in which he argues development precedes learning. Vygotsky states that every function in a childs’ cultural development appears twice: first on a social level and later on an individual level. So firstly it’s between people in an interpsychological level and secondly within the child on an intrapyschological level.

The second major theme is known as the more knowledgeable other abbreviated to MKO. This is an individual who is more knowledgeable and has a higher ability and understanding than the learner in respects to specific tasks, process or concept. These individuals are usually teachers, coaches and older or younger adult, even peers or computers.

Finally, the final major theme is known as the zone of proximal development. This zone is where the distance is measured between the students’ ability to perform tasks either with peers or under the guidance from an adult and the students’ ability to undergo tasks individually. This is the zone in which Vygotsky believes learning occurs.

Vygotky mainly focused his research on the connections between people and the sociocultural context in which they act, interact and share experiences. According to Vygotsky, humans use tools that develop from a culture such as speech and writing which they go onto use when mediating within their social environments. Children initially used their tools in order to develop communication skills in order to communicate their needs. By internalizing these tools, Vygotsky believes this begins to build the path toward higher and more intense thinking skills.