Evaluating Vygotsky
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Vygotsky's theory focuses on the active construction of knowledge rather than passive conditioning. He believed that a child would learn almost entirely due to social influences. Vygotsky believes that a child is a "young apprentice" and its motivation for learning comes from the child's interactions with others.
Vygotsky suggested that we are born with a set of innate elementary functions, for example; sucking, grasping, and kicking. If a child is left alone these elementary functions will develop to some extent. However they are only transformed into more complex higher mental functions, such as problem solving and thinking through cultural interactions. Cultural interactions are what accelerate the change from elementary to higher functions.
Language for vygotsky is important; as it's through language that culture is transmitted. It is also transmitted through a shared use of cultural inventions (tools) and the assistance of persons with greater knowledge ('experts'). When children are young they start with disorganised set of concepts...