AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Vygotsky’s scaffolding began when other theorists applied his theory, called the zone of proximal development (ZPD) in the classroom. ZPD concentrates on what a learner can do by themselves versus what they can do with the help of someone else.

Detailed explanation-2: -Vygotsky coined a definition of instructional scaffolding that focused on teacher practices. He defined this as, ‘the role of teachers and others in supporting the learner’s development and providing support structures to get to that next stage or level’ (Raymond, 2000).

Detailed explanation-3: -Vygotsky’s Cognitive Development Theory postulates that social interaction is fundamental to cognitive development. Vygotsky’s theory is comprised of concepts such as culture-specific tools, language and thought interdependence, and the Zone of Proximal Development.

Detailed explanation-4: -Vygotsky claimed that we are born with four ‘elementary mental functions’ : Attention, Sensation, Perception, and Memory. It is our social and cultural environment that allows us to use these elementary skills to develop and finally gain ‘higher mental functions.

Detailed explanation-5: -Therefore, Vygotsky’s theory promotes the belief, “What is learned must be taught” (Wilhelm, 2001, p. 8). Teachers should be explaining, modeling, and using guided practice in the classroom. By modeling what they want their students to do, students will be better able to work through their assigned tasks.