Psychological Tools
A Sociocultural Approach to Education
Published on 1. December 1998
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-0-674-72141-8 (ISBN)
Description
The concept of "psychological tools" is a cornerstone of L.S. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of cognitive development. Psychological tools are the symbolic cultural artifacts - signs, symbols, text, formulae and language - that enables people to master psychological functions such as memory, perception, and attention. This text argues that the concept offers a way to analyze cross-cultural differences in thought and to develop practical strategies for educating immigrant children from widely different cultures. Alex Kozulin offers an overview of Vygotsky's theory, which argues that conciousness arises from communication as civilization transforms "natural" psychological functions into "cultural" ones. He compares sociocultural theory to other innovative approaches to learning.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge, Mass
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
10 line illustrations, 4 tables
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 160 mm
Weight
390 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-674-72141-8 (9780674721418)
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Schweitzer Classification
Content
The concept of psychological activity; Piaget, Vygotsky and the cognitive revolution; the mediated learning experience and psychological tools; cognitive education; cognitive skills in immigrant and ethnic minority students; literature as a psychological tool; the challenges of prospective education.