Lev Vygotsky Flashcards
Where did Vygotsky originally come from?
Moscow.
Explain the key ideas behind Marxism vs Psychology.
Marxism: Human nature is a product of historical conditions.
Differences between people stem from social conditions created by groups.
Property is a Bourgeois illusion.
Darwinism justifies human exploitation via its idea of survival of the fittest.
Psychology: Human nature is a product of nature and nurture interacting.
Differences between people stem from properties of people.
All people naturally have property.
Darwinism explains human nature but not human nature in culture (and can serve to rationalise capitalism).
Under which circumstances did Vygotsky come up with his theory?
It was the Russian revolution.
Power became unstable.
USSR became a more totalitarian system (Joseph Stalin).
USSR allied with UK in WW2.
Name some of the key ideas being studied in Moscow during Vygotsky’s time (1920s).
Social determinism.
History of language and culture.
Groups in the USSR beyond Moscow.
There was a lab for studying abnormal childhood.
Briefly explain Vygotsky’s theory of Zone of Proximal Development.
Cognition happens between people in language.
Child’s development happens in conversation with others.
Others can construct a Zone of Proximal Development where the child’s knowledge structure can grow and develop (what child can do with/without help).
Contrast Piaget and Vygotsky’s theories regarding what child development is tied to.
Piaget: Child development is tied to genetics.
Vygotsky: Child development is tied to culture and history via social interaction.
Contrast Piaget and Vygotsky’s theories regarding creativity.
Piaget: Creativity is an inherent innate property.
Vygotsky: Creativity can become possible through scaffolding in the zone of proximal development.
Contrast Piaget and Vygotsky’s theories regarding how a child develops.
Piaget: Child develops organically and then has more advanced knowledge.
Vygotsky: Child does something knowingly (with help) and as a result, develops.
Which views did Vygotsky share with Gestalt Psychology?
He was against reductionism and atomism.
What was Gestalt Psychology in Berlin eventually displaced by?
A form of anti-Semitic Psychology lead by Eric Jaensch.
How did Bluma Zeigarnik contribute to Psychology?
Zeigarnik effect on memory.
Introduced Vygotsky and Lewin.
Lost her job due to anti-Semitism.
Awarded the Lewin Memorial Award but forbidden to leave USSR to accept it.
