Lev Vygotsky was a Russian psychologist known for his socio-cultural theory of cognitive development. The theory emphasizes how social interaction and culture impact cognitive development, with two main principles being the more knowledgeable other and the zone of proximal development. Vygotsky believed that learning occurs through social interaction and language plays a central role in mental development.

1. MODULE 5:
Vgotsky Socio-cultural
Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
Uniting
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

2. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
 Who is Vygotsky, his background ?
 Enumerate the Two Main Principles/Elements
of Socio-Cultural theory.
 What are the two features of Zone Proximal
Development?
 What are the 4 Basic Principles Underlying
the Vygotsky Framework/
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

3. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
 “The Mozart of Psychology”
 Lev Semonovich Vygotsky was born in Western Russia on November 5, 1986.His
father, Semi L’vovich, founded the “Society of Education in Gomel”, and held a
wide range of active interest including foreign language, history, literature,
theater and arts. His mother was educated as teacher.
 In 1917, he graduated from Moscow University with a degree in Law.
 Vygotsky completed 270 scientific articles,numerous,lectures and 10 books
based on a wide range of Marxist-based psychological and teaching theories.
 He is considered a seminal thinker in psychology, and much of his work is still
discovered and explored today.
 He died on June 10, 1934 at 37 after long battle with TB.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

4. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
Vygotsky Theory is that social interaction plays a very
important in cognitive development.
Did not focus on the individual child but on the child as
a product of social interaction, especially with adults.
Focus on dynamic interactions rather than child by
himself.
People thinking differs dramatically between cultures
because different cultures stress different things.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

5. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
1. The More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
 Refers to anyone who has better understanding
or higher ability level than the learner.
 Normally thought of as being a teacher, trainer,
or older, adult, but MKO could also peers , a
younger person, even computers.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

6. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
2. Zone of Proximal Development
 Difference between what child can accomplish
alone and s/he can accomplish with the
guidance of another.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

7. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
I. Scaffolding
• Appropriate assistance given by the teacher to
assist the learner accomplish a task.
• Requires that an instructor shows example how
to solve a problem, while controlling the
learning environment so that students can take
things step by step expanding their knowledge
without excessive frustration.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

8. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
II.
Reciprocal Teaching
• A highly successful teaching method, it provides
an environment of open dialogue between
student and teacher which goes beyond a simple
question and answer session.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

9. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
1) Children construct their knowledge.
2) Development cannot be separated from its social
context.
3) Learning is mediated.
4) Language plays a central role in mental
development.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

10. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
1. Lower Mental Function
 Are those with which we are born, are the
natural functions and are genetically
determined.
2. Higher Mental Function
 Are acquired and developed through social
interaction.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

11. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
 Sociocultural theory considers learning as a
semiotic process where participation in sociallymediated activities is essential.
 Social interaction emphasized that effective
learning happens through participation in social
activities, making the social context of learning
crucial.
 Vgotsky theory was important in education since
these works provide tools for the development of
individuals learning.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

12. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
References
Facilitating Learning A metacognition process, Maria Rita D. Lucas & Brenda
Corpuz, Publishedd by Lorimar Publishing,coyright 2007
www.slideshare.com
www.youtube.com
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

13. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education