Lev Vygotsky
Social Development Theory and ZPD
Zone of Proximal Development
The ZPD ( Zone of Proximal Development) "is the distance between the actual development level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers." Vygotsky believed that peer interaction was an essential part of the learning process.
Social Development Theory
Social Development theory attempts to explain qualitative changes in the structure and framework of society, that help the society to better realize its aims and objectives. The basic mechanism driving social change is increasing awareness leading to better organization. When society senses new and better opportunities for progress it develops new forms of organization to exploit these new openings successfully.
About Vygotsky
Was a Soviet Belrusian psychologist, the founder of a theory of human cultural and bio-social development commonly referred to as cultural-historical psychology, and leader of the Vygotsky circle. Vygotsky's main work was in developmental psychology, and he proposed a theory of the development of higher cognitive functions in children that saw reasoning as emerging through practical activity in a social environment.