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Comparison Between Piaget and Vygotsky


Third, that development is highly plastic. The final assumption is that it is multidirectional and multidimensional. The comparative roles of language will be discussed next and finally each theorists contribution to current educational practice.
             In common with Vygotsky, Piaget noted that development consisted of gradual, continuous movement through definite stages of maturation. In contrast though, his early research suggested to him that the stages were completed by the end of adolescence. He later modified this to acknowledge that there may be further development in post-formal thought through adult years. (Lefrancois, 1999:152).
             Vygotsky's theory states that development is lifelong. Proximity to more experienced people through different stages of maturation allow cognition (process of gaining knowledge) to continue to develop. Bodrova & Leong (1996:9) call this "appropriation of knowledge". An example of this is parenting skills suitable for our society being acquired from experienced parents.
             Vygotsky saw mental development as proceeding from elementary mental functions (EMF) to higher mental functions (HMF)such as logical and abstract thought, and increase of attention span. .
             EMF is the natural line of development that is shared by all animals. It is triggered by external stimuli. Transformation to HMF occurs through sharing cultural tools (also called mediators) known to peers and adults in the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) at various maturational stages.(Hethrington & Parke, 1999:351-352) Reaction range describes the variation between what a person can achieve alone and what they can achieve alongside a competent older member of the community or a more advanced peer .
             The contextualist world view is that development is socially mediated, cultures select which tasks have value then guide the acquisition of these skills. Development can not be understood without placing it in the context of the culture it developed in.


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