Social Development Theory was developed by Soviet psychologist Lev Vygotsky. He believed that social interaction and culture play a key role in cognitive development. Vygotsky focused on how language and interactions with more knowledgeable others in a child's zone of proximal development can aid learning. Some strategies that implement his ideas include scaffolding, reciprocal teaching, and guided instruction where students work together and share problem solving approaches. While it is not specific to any subject, Social Development Theory emphasizes how social and cultural experiences shape thinking skills and understanding through interactions between peers and more experienced individuals.
2. Who invented it? Lev Vygotsky a Soviet psychologist and the founder of cultural-historical physchology
3. When did it first gain attention? Most of his books and articles were suppressed under political grounds. After Stalin’s death in 1953, writings became public and Vygotsky became a major influence in psychology and education.
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5. How was/ is it applied? - Vygotsky was very much involved in developing the education program for the Soviet Union - Has 2 parts: MKO and ZPD MKO- More Knowledgeable Other: teacher, coach, adult, peer, computer ZPD- Zone of Proximal Development: distance between a student’s ability to perform a task with others vs. independently EXAMPLE: instead of desks in a row, they are in groups!
6. Is it aligned with particular subjects? - No, however this theory focused on the connection between people and the sociocultural context (where they interact while sharing an experience) - The tools children develop (writing and speech) as social functions lead to higher thinking skills
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8. Shortcomings? - Children could look to others for answers instead of figuring things out for themselves
![Social Development Theory ,[object Object]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/education-100222145811-phpapp02/85/vygotsky-constructivist-theory-1-320.jpg)
