Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development Flashcards
What did Vygotsky view children as?
‘Young apprentices’
What was his main suggestion about cognitive development.
Interaction with others is vital for children to make sense of their environment.
What did he describe the process as being at first?
Firstly interpsychological (communication from expert to child is important to initial cognitive development).
What did he describe the process as being second?
Secondly intrapsychological (when a child internalises what they have learnt and has ability to further enhance their cognitive development).
What is ‘private speech’?
When children talk to themselves whilst carrying out tasks.
Vygotsky defined this as them repeating the instruction/guidance given to them by experts (e.g. teachers).
What is ‘inner speech’?
When children have mastered the ability to talk themselves through tasks and can now think themselves through things instead.
What did Vygotsky propose the Zone of Proximal Development as being?
The gap between a child’s current independent abilities and their potential capabilities, if assistance from an expert is sought.
What is ‘scaffolding’?
A term used for the form of social support an expert uses to held the child cross their zone of proximal development.
What are examples of scaffolding?
-Encouragement
-Prompting
-Demonstrating
-Instructions
Give advantages of Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development.
+Supporting evidence for the ZPD from Roazzi and Bryant.
Group who had help from expert performed better, they had developed more advanced skills. This increases the validity of the ZPD.
+Supporting evidence for scaffolding from Conner and Cross.
The children initially needed scaffolding but it can eventually be withdrawn as the children get older.
+Has real life applications in schools.
A teacher can explain and demonstrate things and then a child can go and do it themselves.
Give a disadvantage of Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development.
-Some experts could do more harm than good.
Some social interactions may not be beneficial to a child’s learning processes and cognitive development.
