1. Activity theory is a framework for analyzing human motivation, goals, and actions within sociocultural contexts. It considers entire activity systems rather than just individuals. 2. There are three levels of analysis in activity theory: activities oriented around motives, actions oriented around goals, and operations oriented around conditions. 3. Key principles of activity theory include object-orientation, internalization/externalization of activities, mediation of activities through tools, and development over time within communities.

1. Group N.o 3
Subject Applied Linguistics
Topic Activity theory
Submitted to Ma`am Afia khizar
Submitted by Group Leader; Safa Munir, Roll N.o 34
Other Members 12, 14, 32, 44 & 49.
BS(English) 5th semester
Activity theory
Introduction:
Activity theory is a framework or descriptive tool for a system. This theory is more of a descriptive meta-
theory or framework than a predictive theory. It considers an entire work/activity system (including teams,
organizations, etc.) beyond just one actor or user. People are socio-culturally embedded actors (not
processors or system components). There exists a hierarchical analysis of motivated human action.
(dynamically integrating levels of activity analysis)
Activity theory was created through the collaboration of Lev S. Vygotsky and his colleagues, one of whom,
A.N. Leontiev, went on to further develop the theory. Activity in Leontiev’s (1978) theory is not merely
doing something; it is doing something that is motivated either by a biological need, such as hunger, or a
culturally constructed need, such as the need to be literate in certain cultures. Needs become motives once
they become directed at a specific object (Lantolf, 2004). Thus, hunger does not become a motive until
people decide to seek food; similarly, literacy does not become a motive for activity until people decide to
learn to read and write.
Safa
There are three basic levels of abstraction (McCafferty, Roebuck & Wayland, 2001).
The first, “activity”, refers to human behavior in a general sense and is associated with “motive”, or the
motivation without which there would be no activity.
The second level involves the two inseparable concepts of “action” and “goal”. An action, according to
Wertch (1979), is a “segment of human functioning directed toward a conscious goal.” Thus, actions are
purposeful, and importantly, not automatic.
The third level deals with “operations” and the associated “conditions” under which an action is carried
out.
Amna
Three levels of Activity:
1. Activity towards an objective (goal) carried out by community. A result of a motive (need) that may not
be conscious social and personal meaning of activity (Answers the Why? Question).
2. Action towards a specific goal (conscious), carried out by an individual or a group possible goals and
subgoals, critical goals (Answers the What? Question)
3. Operation structure of activity typically automated and not conscious concrete way of executing an action
in according with the specific conditions surrounding the goal (Answers the How? Question) Iqra

2. Activity Theory is not a "theory" in the strict interpretation of the term. It consists of a set of basic principles
which constitute a general conceptual system which can be used as a foundation for more specific theories.
These basic principles of Activity Theory include object-orientedness, the dual concepts of
internalization/externalization, tool mediation, hierarchical structure of activity, and continuous
development.
Principles
1. Object-orientation: People live in a reality that is objective in a broad sense: the things that
constitute this reality have not only the properties that are considered objective according to natural
sciences but socially/culturally defined properties as well.
Mariam
2. Internalization/externalization: Distinction between internal and external activities.
Internal activities cannot be understood if they are analysed separately from external activities, because
they transform into each other. Internalization is the transformation of external activities into internal
ones. It provides a means for people to try potential interactions with reality without performing actual
manipulation with real objects (mental simulations, imaginings, considering alternative plans, etc.)
Externalization transforms internal activities into external ones. It is often necessary when an
internalized actions needs to be “repaired,” or scaled. It is also important when a collaboration between
several people requires to be performed externally in order to be coordinated.
Nimra
3. Mediation: Activity theory emphasizes that human activity is mediated by tools in a broad sense.
Tools are created and transformed during the development of the activity itself and carry with the, a
particular culture- historical remains from their development. So, the use of tools is an accumulation
and transmission of social knowledge. Tool use influences the nature of external behaviour and also
the mental functioning of individuals.
4. Development: In Activity theory development is not an object of study, it is also a general
researcher methodology. The basic research in this theory is not traditional laboratory experiments
but the formative experiment which combines active participants with monitoring of the
developmental changes of the study participant.
Kashaf