Vygotsky- Cognitive Development

Question 1

Vygotsky suggests

Answer 1

Generally agrees with Piaget but says learning is social process with/from others
More knowledgeable others- friend, teacher, parent etc- we learn off MKO
Suggests language develops at different rate to other cognitive abilities (faster as more important) however Piaget says it develops at the same time (both agree on stages)

Question 2

Zone of proximal development

Answer 2

Distance between actual/current level of development and potential level of development with help from more knowledgable other (adult expert/more capable peers)

Question 3

Scaffolding

Answer 3

Process of helping learners across ZPD
DPISG
1. Demonstration
2. Preparation for child
3. Indication if materials
4. Specific verbal instructions
5. General prompts

Starts with high level of help and gradually withdraws level of help

Question 4

Strength Vygotsky cog.dev (cc)

Answer 4

Cross and Conner longitudinal study
45 children doing problem solving tasks with help of mother
16, 26, 44, 54months
Change observed, found less direct intervention and more hints as child gains experience
Shows using scaffolding helps child to cross the ZPD
This study has temporal validity to show cognitive changes

Question 5

Strength Vygotsky zpd (b)

Answer 5

Bryant
Children aged 4-5
Task to estimate no sweets in box
Condition 1 work alone, condition 2 with older child
Most in condition 1 failed to give good estimate
In condition 2 older child gave prompts which helped them to give good guess
Shows social learning with MKO who provides scaffolding helping child reach full potential- evidence of theory in action
Also
Practical application- use of this can be applied to teaching

Question 6

Limit Vygotsky TCD (individual differences)

Answer 6

Vygotsky theory Doesn’t account for individual differences in children
Can differ in personality and in info processing style meaning some children are not suited to social learning
Therefore not universal explanation for cognitive development in all children
May therefore limit practical application to education as social learning and scaffolding not generalisable to all

Question 7

Limitation Vygotsky TCD (contrast)

Answer 7

Lui pointed out classes in China of up to 50 students with little to no social interaction from peers or tutors learn very effectively
suggesting social learning less effective than Vygotsky states as shows can learn without scaffolding and support from MKO