1. Socio-Cultural Theory
Social & Cultural Influences on Cognitive Development

2. Lev Vygotsky Russian Psychologist
Lived during the Bolshevik revolution of 1918
Professors were considered dangerous by the State
Died relatively young, 38 (Very difficult life in Soviet Union)
Always seemed to have a gaggle of students with him
Raging debates around the kitchen table
Answered student questions with another question

3. Socio-Cultural Theory
Social Interaction causes Cog. Development
Co-Constructed Knowledge
New knowledge created first between people, then internalized
Culture influences Cog. Development
Cannot be separated from the individual
Values, Tools, Resources, …
Language Shapes Cog. Development

4. Socio-Cultural Theory
Private Speech
Talking to yourself
Functions of “Self Talk”
Self-Regulate – “Ooh, ooh, not too close.”
Self-Evaluate – “I can’t BELIEVE I did that!”
Self-Instruct – “Okay, now the next step is…”
Characteristics of “Self-Talk”
3-5 yrs audible moving to inaudible later
Presents most often in high stress situations

5. Socio-Cultural Theory
Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
Inner-Layer
KSA that the learner has complete control over
Outermost-Layer
KSA that the learner cannot control or learn
Middle Layer
KSA that the learner can acquire with assistance
Zone of Proximal Development
Potential for learning
Large ZPD = ?

6. Socio-Cultural Theory
Assisted Learning
Professional Social Interaction
Scaffolding
Cuing
Modeling
½ done examples
Thinking out loud
Reciprocal teaching
Checklists