1. Lev Vygotsky Overheads Carolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D.

2. Lev Vygotsky  1896-1934 – sociocultural viewpoint of cognitive development.  Died early before finishing his theory.

3. Vygotsky insisted that:  Cognitive growth occurs in a sociocultural context that influences the form it takes.  Many of the child’s skills = social interactions.  Higher mental functions.  Tools of intellectual adaptation.

4. The Role of Society  Society influences how to think and what to think.  Human cognition = society.  Intellectual growth is not universal (as Piaget claimed).

5. How children learn  Discoveries take place within the collaborative dialogue between the student & tutor.  Example – child learning how to do his first jigsaw puzzle.  The Zone of proximal development.  Active, not passive learning.

6. Difference between Vygotsky & Piaget  Main difference = the role of the instructor.  Language, specifically egocentric speech.  Nonsocial speech.  Private speech.  Who is right? Berk (1992) favors Vygotsky on this aspect of private speech or “self-talk”.