Origins Of Social Cognition

Question 1

Piaget; how does thought drive language?

Answer 1

Egocentric thought»
Egocentric speech&raquo_space;
Social interactions using language.

Development precedes learning

Question 2

Vygotsky; thought and language are independent.

Answer 2

Language aids cognitive development.

Language is a social phenomena.
Therefore prelinguistic child thinks independently of language.

Language is obtained through social interaction with more knowledgeable others then language and thought merge.

Question 3

Elementary mental functions.

SPAM

Answer 3

Basic SENSORY, PERCEPTUAL, ATTENTIONAL, MEMORY capacities, present in animals and infants.

Question 4

Higher mental functions.

JUPRA

Answer 4

Unique to humans as they develop language, this ability to interact with more knowledgeable others allows children to learn and internalize higher mfs.

JOINT ATTENTION
UNAIDED MEMORY
PROBLEM SOLVING
REASONING
ABSTRACT THOUGHT

Question 5

Cultural variation

Answer 5

Language drives development therefore cultural differences are found in the use of various social tools such as gestures.

Question 6

Social constructivist approach: inter and intra-psychological approach to cognition.

Answer 6

Child actively, through private speech, internalises higher mental functions through social interaction.

Question 7

Zone of proximal development.

Answer 7

The distance between independent problem solving ability, and individual ability to problem solve with the help of a more knowledgeable other.

Question 8

Vygotsky (1978)

Answer 8

Grasping to pointing, interpretation of movement as gesture leads to child associative understanding.

Question 9

Scaffolding:

Answer 9

To provide ample support, extra if required but less if child is capable.
With this contingent instruction child gradually learns to take responsibility for the task.

Question 10

Peer collaboration

Answer 10

Peer collaboration is successful if peer is more knowledgeable but within ZPD.

More successful in collectivist cultures such as Navajo Indians who value more highly group endeavors.

As opposed to western individualist cultures that value competition and require extensive guidance in team work.

Question 11

Strengths of sociocultural

Answer 11

Recognition of social, cultural and historical context.

Emphasizes cultural variation in cognition (not universal, Piaget)
The role of teaching from peers, parents and siblings in cognitive development.

Question 12

Limitations of sociocultural

Answer 12

Overemphasis on verbal dialogue (cultural variations).

Biological contributions largely ignored.

Vygotsky himself did not get to complete his theory thus the mechanism of internalization is not clearly explained although others have attempted.

Question 13

Jigsaw classroom

Answer 13

Students in groups, each student given one module of topic. Each cold now expert, brought back to group for peer collaboration of material.