Vygotskys Socialcultural Theory

Question 1

What is sociocultural theory?

Answer 1

• How does culturally-specific values, norms, skills transit to a new generation?
  Emphasis on rich and cultural contexts

Question 2

What is this theory about?

Answer 2

• Cognitive development perceived as a socially mediated process, children depend on experienced adults and peers
• Different cultures values different skills, unique strengths, cultural differences
• Both types on development, depends on the contact
• Focus on nurture
• Neglegting the childs own capability to learn things

Question 3

How does he view cognitive development?

Answer 3

• Infants have basic capacities, develops with interaction with environment
  Sensation
  Perceptual
  Attention
  Memory

Question 4

Private Speech

Answer 4

• Children speak to themselves, guidance, while thinking and acting on daily situations
• Transition into a silent inner speech with age
• Language is important

Question 5

Where does private speech come from?

Answer 5

Role models
- Questions
- Prompting
- Suggesting ideas

Question 6

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Answer 6

• Children learning occur within a specific zone
  Too complex of a task, ask others for help
• Social interaction is important for cognitive development
• 3 levels

Question 7

Intersubjectivity

Answer 7

Two parties start with different understanding, gets to a shared understanding point

• Linked with a range of outcomes
  Attention, language, complex play etc
• Parents need to be encouraging, responsive and supportive

Question 8

Scaffolding

Answer 8

Adjusting academic support to the childs level of performance
- Linked with overall cognitive development
- Divide the task into different parts

Question 9

Guided participation

Answer 9

Learn through interactions with others in other context

Question 10

What is Vygostkys view on Make-Believe play?

Answer 10

• Central source of influence during preschool years

1. Via mental imaginary situations child learns to act on internal views and not just external stimuli
   Gradual distinction from reality
2. Rule based nature of make-believe play strengthen childs “think before act” capacities

• Not something spontaneous like Piaget thinks

Question 11

Assisted Discovery

Answer 11

• Guidance, support and knowledge from experienced peers or adults
  Explanations, collaboration, demonstrations
• Stimulating environment isnt enough to promote early cognitive development

Question 12

Reciprocal teaching

Answer 12

Teacher and students forma collaborative group to solve a task
- Questioning, summarizing, clarifying, predicting
- Planning studies ahead
- Differentiate between different tasks
- Mainly used for reading capabilities

Question 13

Cooperative learning

Answer 13

Expert peers in charge of guidance rather than teachers
- Conflict less important to spark learning (contrary to Piaget theory)
- Shared understanding
- Stay within ZPD

Question 14

What are some strengths to Vygostkys Theory?

Answer 14

• Helps explain cultural diversity in cognition
• Social context as foundation is important
• Emphasizes importance of teaching

Question 15

What are some limitations to Vygostkys theory?

Answer 15

• Big focus on language, neglecting other learning methods
• Says little about biological contributions to cognition
• Vague explanations (died early, not a complete theory)