Vygotsky

• What does culture consist of?

  Beliefs and customs of a social group
• How do elementary mental functions transform into higher mental functions?

  Through the influence of culture
• What are considered lower mental functions?

  Biological functions that develop naturally
• What role does culture play in cognitive development?

  Transforms elementary functions into higher functions
• What two contributions does culture make to a child's cognitive development?

  Content of thinking and processes of thinking
• Who typically shares experiences with a child during learning?

  A parent or teacher
• What did Vygotsky believe about culture and language?

  They are mediated by experts using signs
• What is the significance of language in Vygotsky's theory?

  It is the most important semiotic system
• How do children use inner speech according to Vygotsky?

  To solve problems and reflect internally
• How does Vygotsky describe the process of cognitive development?

  It appears first socially, then individually
• What is the zone of proximal development (ZPD)?

  The distance between current and potential development
• What defines the functions in the ZPD?

  Functions that are in the process of maturation
• What concept did Wood et al. (1976) develop related to Vygotsky's theory?

  Scaffolding for support in the ZPD
• How is scaffolding similar to physical scaffolding?

  Both support during a new task
• When can scaffolding be removed?

  When the child can stand alone
• Who observed mothers teaching children to build a tower?

  Wood & Middleton
• What was the age of the children observed by Wood & Middleton?

  4 years old
• How many types of scaffolding did Wood & Middleton identify?

  5 types
• What are the 5 types of scaffolding identified by Wood & Middleton?

  • Demonstration
  • Preparation for child
  • Indication of materials
  • Specific verbal instructions
  • General instructions
• What does the demonstration type of scaffolding involve?

  Showing how to fit the wooden peg
• What is an example of preparation for the child scaffolding?

  Turning it this way round
• What does indication of materials scaffolding entail?

  Pointing out which piece to start with
• What is an example of specific verbal instructions scaffolding?

  Get four blue blocks
• What does general instructions scaffolding involve?

  Encouraging the child to build the tower
• How did successful mothers adjust their help during the task?

  Based on the child's actions
• What would mothers do if the child struggled?

  Provide more specific instructions
• What would mothers do if the child managed on their own?

  Give more general instructions or praise