Sociocultural Theory
Sociocultural theory is an emerging field within modern psychology, exploring how society contributes to the development of the individual. Developed out of the work of Soviet psychologist Lev Vygotsky, sociocultural theory seeks to understand how one's participation within groups shapes mental structure. As the individual interacts with others and processes the effects of those interactions, the individual learns.
Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934) believed that children develop higher cognitive functions, especially reasoning, as emerging out of their social activity. Essential to this learning was his concept of the Zone of Proximal Development, which held that new knowledge is reliant on both previous learning as well as current instruction. Much of Vygotsky's work was suppressed in the Soviet Union and unavailable in the West due to poor translations.
His rediscovery allowed social scientist to reexamine how individual learning is the product of both adult and peer influence, but on cultural assumptions. All cultures provide for children a basic set of tools that allow them to adapt learning. For example, some cultures may stress note taking, while others emphasize rote memorization. Sociocultural theory is often contrasted with Piaget's constructivist theories, in that sociocultural theorists will seek out interpretations regarding behavior based on their participation in culturally based activities.
Related Research Paper Topic Suggestions
Conflict Theory - Conflict Theory research papers discuss one of the most prominent sociological theories.
Contemporary theories - Contemporary Social Theory research papers examine the theories of Functionalism, Sociobiology, and Conflict.
Control Theory and Sociology - Control theory and sociology research papers are custom written on control theory and other sociological theories that explain deviance with the norms in society.
Crime and Deviance Sociology - Crime and deviance sociology research papers discuss the enforcement of social norms and focus on the consequences of violating said norms, and how it relates to criminal behavior.
Ethnomethodology - Ethnomethodology research papers write about the sociological concept of studies based upon ethnographic information or documentary interprestation of sociological information.
Ingroup and Outgroup - In-Group and Out-Group sociology research papers on social stratification are custom written research on in-groups and out-groups in society.
Labeling Theory - Labeling Theory Research Papers discuss Juvenile Offending Patterns and labeling theory.
Social Darwinism - Social Darwinism research papers are custom written on Darwin's Theories and sociology. Social Darwinism is a social theory that was taken from Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer's evolutionary theories.
Social disorganization theory - Social Disorganization Theory research papers examine Social Disorganization Theory in relation to poverty and crime.
Social Sciences - Social Sciences research papers examine one of the major branches of academic study that focuses on history, economics, political science, geography, and sociology.
Sociological Imagination - A research paper on sociological imagination looks into the concept that debunks the actions of the individual by distinguishing between personal troubles and public issues.
Sociological Issue Impacting The Education System - Sociological Issue Impacting the Education System Research Papers discuss the issues that impact the system of education.
Sociological Theories - Sociological Theories research papers discuss the development of numerous sociological theories.
Sociology Questions - Sociology Questions Research Papers look at how to order a paper that allows the writer to choose the topic with giving specific details on the format.
Strengths Perspective - Strengths Perspective Theory Research Papers delve into an order placed on social work theories with specific instructions on format.
Symbolic Interaction - Symbolic Interaction research papers examine the sociological understanding of emotion.