Cognition and development - Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development

Question 1

What is Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development?

Answer 1

• Vygotsky suggests that the development of cognition depends on social interactions and culture
• This is the infant internalising the understanding of other people by using the tools of that culture
• For example: Language and technology
• This is referred to as the “Child as apprentice”
• This suggests the role of language (Semiotics) is particularly important for cognitive development, with external speech developing into egocentric speech, which then develops into inner speech (Thought)
• This allows for higher mental functions

Question 2

What is the zone of proximal development (ZPD)?

Answer 2

• The zone of proximal development is the distance between what the child is currently able to do independently and what the child can do with the help of others (The child’s potential ability)
• Experts, such as parents, teachers and older siblings help the child pass through the ZPD and move onto harder tasks
• Experts achieve this by scaffolding (Providing a supportive framework to help the child complete the task, but slowly withdrawing support until the child can complete the task independently)
• For example: At first demonstrating the task, then giving instructions and finally just providing general clues

Question 3

How does research conducted by Wood and Middleton support the theory of scaffolding?

Answer 3

• Wood and Middleton observed 12 mothers teaching their children to build a tower
• The findings showed that the most successful at teaching were those seen to scaffold their instructions by adapting up or down depending on the child’s abilities

Question 4

What is a strength of Vygotsky’s research?

Answer 4

• Vygotsky’s research has practical applications, suggesting an important role for one to one tuition in education
• The ideas presented in Vygotsky’s theories can also be applied by teachers in the classroom by allowing children to play more of an active role

Question 5

What is a strength of Vygotsky’s research?

Answer 5

• There are cross cultural differences in the concept of development
• This supports Vygotsky’s idea that cognitive development is due to social interactions
• This, therefore also means that Vygotsky’s work is not culturally biased

Question 6

How is Vygotsky’s theory seen as less deterministic than Piaget’s theory of cognitive development?

Answer 6

• Vygotsky’s theory shows the child as an active participant in the development of their own cognitive abilities
• Piaget’s theory suggests that the child is more passive, passing through biological stages to gain schema
• This shows that Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development can be seen as less deterministic than Piaget’s theory, as Vygotsky shows that children have a personal role in developing their cognitive abilities but Piaget doesn’t

Question 7

What is a weakness of Vygotsky’s research?

Answer 7

• Vygotsky’s theory focuses on cognitive factors and fails to consider biological and maturational limitations that children face when picking up new tasks
• For example: Young children are unable to use formal logic even with the help significant scaffolding