Thought and Language (Vygotsky)

The excerpts, primarily drawn from Lev Vygotsky's Thought and Language, present a comprehensive analysis of the development of thought and speech, critiquing prevailing psychological theories like behaviorism and Jean Piaget's stages. A central theme is Vygotsky's sociohistorical theory, which posits that higher mental functions are products of constructive teaching and learning, heavily influenced by culture and social interaction rather than solely residing in the individual brain. The text examines the complex, changing relationship between thought and word meaning, proposing that they have separate developmental roots that merge around age two to form verbal thought. Key concepts discussed include the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)