What does Vygotsky suggest about the role of culture in cognitive development?

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Vygotsky highlights the significant influence of culture on cognitive development, emphasizing that culture plays a crucial role in shaping the ways individuals think, learn, and interact with their environment. He posits that cognitive processes are not solely products of individual maturation; rather, they are deeply embedded in the cultural context in which a person is raised. This includes the tools, languages, symbols, and practices that a certain culture provides, which collectively inform how individuals understand the world around them.

Through social interactions facilitated by cultural contexts, learners acquire both knowledge and skills that are specific to their societal influences. For example, children learn problem-solving strategies and language through interactions with more knowledgeable others, such as parents or peers, within a cultural framework. Therefore, cognitive development is seen as a collaborative process where culture serves as a scaffold, allowing individuals to achieve higher levels of understanding and mastery of cognitive functions.

This perspective underlines the importance of recognizing and integrating a student's cultural background in educational settings, as it can greatly enhance learning experiences and outcomes.

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