1. Social Development Theory
Vygotsky

2. Background Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934) Russian psychologist
Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory (unknown until 1962)
Focused on any connection between people and the experiences they shared or had

3. Overview of Theory Two levels of cultural development Major Themes
Social
Individual
Major Themes
The More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
Social Interaction
Defined stages of development

4. Cultural Development – Social
Full cognitive development requires social interaction
Gain knowledge through this step
Formal education
Interactions with others
Past experiences
Two kinds of learning
Spontaneous

5. Cultural Development- Individual
How they use the information they gained from the social development stage
Ability to use an acquired skill set
Pointing a finger
Two kinds of learning
Scientific

6. The More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
Anyone who has a better understanding or a higher ability level than the learner
Parent
Coach
Teacher
Siblings
Usually has to do with a respect to a particular task, process, or concept
Scaffolding

7. The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
Distance between a student’s ability to perform a task under “MKO” and the student’s ability solving the problem independently.
According to Vygotsky, learning occurred in this zone.

8. Social Interaction
“Every function in the child’s cultural development appears twice: first, on the social level, and later, on the individual level; first, between people (interpsychological) and then inside the child (intrapsychological).”
Fundamental role in the process of cognitive development.

9. Defined Stages
His theory states that development is limited to a certain range at a certain age.
This development is assisted by continued social interaction.

10. Problems/ Criticisms Too optimistic Gender not considered
Impractical- requires one on one education