For this essay question compare and contrast the role of language as seen by the

Question

For this essay question compare and contrast the role of language as seen by the theorist's: Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. Be sure to: 1-explain how they both viewed language in similar ways, 2-how they differed in their views of language and lastly, being that one theorist felt stronger about the role of language leading to higher levels of abstract thinking, what would Piaget/Vygotsky say to one another if they were given the opportunity to critique each other on their differing views. Please limit your response to 550 words. Essay response should be 450-550 words.

Explanation / Answer

Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky are both considered to be stalwards of Psychology. Piaget's theory of Cognitive Development and Vygotsky's Theory of Socio-cultural development have been moulders of child rearing practices and the educational set up (western schooling). Their theories have influenced and fueled the debate on how does language and cognitive development unfold.

Similarities: Both Piaget and Vygotsky place importance on social interaction/transmission as a medium through which language develops. Vygotsky's terms this social interaction as the vessel that brings about cognitive development and Piaget claims that social transmission is essential as it promotes a give and take of ideas. Both, Piaget and Vygotsky considered language to be related to cognitive development. However, both differed in their opinion of how language influences cognitive development.

Differences: According to Piaget, cognitive development preceeds language development (thought emerges before language) while Vygotsky believes that language and cognitive development go hand in hand as seperate systems later merging together to produce inner speech. Thus Piaget believed that until the thoughts of a child do not develop, language isnt developing. Vygotsky suggested that as thoughts develop so does language.While Piaget emphasised learning from people around (independent), Vygotsky's emphasised learning by being part of social activity.(cooperative)

Vygotsky places greater emphasis on the social interaction in terms of guided learning through More Knowledgeable Other (MKO) and focuses on what he terms as the ZPD (Zone of proximal development). He claims that, ZPD is that stage where a child will learn only through instruction/interaction from another (MKO). Thus his thoery gives importance to a teacher or mentor. Piaget on the other hand, promotes individual development of the child as the child constructs his environment. He noted that most of a child's conversation wasnt really interactive responses.He suggested that a child's thought was more autistic in nature and as a result langugage was egocentric.

It was Vygotsky who felt that the role of language was extremely crucial in the development of abstract thinking. Vygotsky can criticise Piaget's theory for removing the child out of the context and placing his theory on learning devoid of culture and context. Vygotsky states that learning has always occured in a social context through cooperation with another. Vygotsky, therefore encouraged cooperative learning and scaffolding which involves the use of language. He also suggested that one's ability to reason is highly related to one's ability to communicate with others. It is important to consider one's interaction with the material world but rather the social world takes dominance.

Piaget can criticise Vygotsky's theory for its assumptions of universality. His ideas of scaffolding may not really be applicable to all cultures and all types of learning (language included). While Piaget proceeded with step by step ides to abstract thinking, Vygotsky's theory lacks a structure and description thats age related.

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