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Cognition and Development

Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development

  • 4 things to know
  • Paper 3

Overview

The zone of proximal development, scaffolding and how it is withdrawn over time, and the role Vygotsky gave language in the development of thought.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is the zone of proximal development?

Process

What is scaffolding, and how does it change over time?

Process

What role does language play in Vygotsky's account of thinking?

Evaluation

Give one strength and one limitation of Vygotsky's theory.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What did Vygotsky emphasise as the driving force of cognitive development?

    Model answer

    Social interaction and culture.

  2. 2

    How does Vygotsky's view differ from Piaget's?

    Model answer

    Vygotsky saw learning as socially and culturally driven, whereas Piaget saw it as an individual process of construction.

  3. 3

    What is the zone of proximal development?

    Model answer

    The gap between what a learner can do alone and what they can achieve with guidance from a more knowledgeable other.

  4. 4

    Who is a 'more knowledgeable other'?

    Model answer

    Anyone with greater knowledge or skill, such as a teacher, parent or more able peer.

  5. 5

    What is scaffolding?

    Model answer

    The support given by a more knowledgeable other that is gradually withdrawn as the learner becomes competent.

  6. 6

    Give an example of a scaffolding strategy.

    Model answer

    Prompting, giving hints, or demonstrating a task, then reducing the help as the child improves.

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