What is Vygotsky's theory of socio- cultural development ?

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Lev S. Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, a social constructivist (one who says a child can construct his own knowledge and specially here through social interactions) whose main focus was socio- cultural aspects. He died at the age of 38. Since most of his work was in Russian, a lot had been translated but still some left.

Three important aspects on which Vygotsky's theory is based

  • Social interaction : Interaction with family members, friends, teachers etc.
  • Language : A tool for communication
  • Culture : Age old traditions, values etc.
Vygotsky said that first language comes than comes thought.
Vygotsky"s Theory stresses on the pivotal role of social interaction in the development of cognition.
Society helps in "making meaning".
Development occurs through social learning.

Some other important terms:
  • Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): A difference between what a child can achieve independently and what a child can achieve with guidance and encouragement from the MKO.
  • More Knowledgeable Other (MKO) : One who has better understanding level than the learner with respect to task, process or concept. It is not necessary that MKO must have more age than the learner.
  • Scaffolding : A kind of temporary help provided by MKO to the learner. e.g A father(MKO) teaching(scaffolding) cycling to his child (learner).
Vygotsky also talked about
  • Collaborative Projects
  • Assistive learning
  • Cooperative learning
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Reciprocal Teaching
Vygotsky's Theory differs from Piaget's theory in following ways
  1. Vygotsky puts more emphasis on culture for affecting cognitive development.
  2. Social factors contributes to cognitive development.
  3. Language plays an important role in cognitive development.
  4. Adults are an important source of cognitive development.
How social interactions influences one's cognitive development?
  • Through collaborative and cooperative learning, a learner interact with others thus enabling one self to lean more from other and develop his cognition.
  • Through verbal interaction, a child develop his communication skills thus developing his cognition.
  • Language develops through social interactions and thus later act as tool for gaining information.
Vygotsky's views on language
  • Thought and language are separate systems initially from the beginning of life but merges when an individual attains the age of three.
  • Speech and Thought become interdependent at this age.
Three forms of language by Vygotsky
 SPEECHAGE DESCRIPTION 
 Social Speech 2 year onward  It is a form of external communication used to talk to others
 Private Speech 3 years onward Used to direct himself (Piaget called it egocentric speech), it is a kind of self talk
 Silent inner   speech 7 years onward Private speech goes underground, A kind that we often hear in our own mind.

To conclude, I would like to say that in today's era what ever kind of cooperative and collaborative projects we hear about are result of the thoughts of Vygotsky.

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