Lesson 8: Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory of Development Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is the primary purpose of the text ‘Body Ritual of the Nacirema’?
To caution anthropologists on how to speak of other cultures
Highlights the importance of perspective in cultural analysis
A shared meaning system that provides standards for perceiving, believing, evaluating, communicating, and acting
Culture
Involves a network of knowledge that is procedural and declarative
What are the two types of culture?
Non-material Culture and Material Culture
Non-material includes values and beliefs; Material includes physical objects
Values, beliefs, symbols, and language
Non-Material Culture
Defines the intangible aspects of a society’s culture
What is material culture?
All society’s physical objects, such as tools, technology, clothing, and transportation
Represents the tangible aspects of a culture
List the elements of culture.
- Symbols
- Language
- Technology
- Values
- Norms
Each element contributes to the overall cultural framework
What are symbols in the context of culture?
Things that stand for something else and evoke reactions and emotions
Can be both non-verbal communication and material objects
A structured system of communication involving words, signs, and rules
Language
Essential for human expression and cultural transmission
The application of scientific knowledge to create tools for solving problems
Technology
Reflects a society’s adaptation and innovation
What do values represent in a culture?
Judgements of what is good or bad/desirable or undesirable
Influences societal norms and behaviors
What are norms?
Standards and expectations for behavior in specific situations
Includes formal norms (mores and laws) and informal norms (folkways and customs)
Common background or social origins, shared culture and traditions, resulting in identity and group membership
Ethnicity
Often includes shared language or religious traditions
A shared genetic heritage expressed by common physical characteristics
Race
Examples include skin color and hair texture
A pattern of exclusion and marginalization based on different identities
Othering
Often relates to societal norms and power dynamics
Development as a socially-mediated process where children acquire cultural values through dialogue
Lev Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory
Emphasizes the role of social interactions in learning
What are the basic assumptions of Sociocultural Theory?
- Culture affects development
- Social factors contribute to development
- Language plays a critical role
- Adults are important sources of development
Highlights the variability of development across cultures
What are tools of intellectual adaptation?
Methods of thinking and problem-solving strategies internalized through social interactions
Essential for cognitive development
Define elementary mental functions.
Abilities present at birth, including attention, sensation, perception, and memory
Serve as the foundation for higher functions
What are higher mental functions?
Sophisticated mental processes that evolve from elementary mental functions through social interactions
Reflects cognitive development
Someone with better understanding or higher ability than the learner in a specific context
More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
Plays a crucial role in the learning process
The difference between what a child can do alone and what they can do with guidance from an MKO
Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).
Critical for understanding learning potential
What roles does language play in cognitive development?
- Primary means of information transmission
- A tool for intellectual adaptation
Language facilitates learning and cognitive growth
What are the three forms of language according to Vygotsky?
- Social speech (age 2)
- Private speech (age 3)
- Private speech going underground (age 7)
Each form represents a stage in cognitive and social development
