Question1 -21

QUESTION 1

Theorists have a certain point of view or take a certain stand on the basic issues underlying CHILD DEVELOPMENT. Berk refers to the following issues:

* What is the COURSE of development CONTINUOUS/DISCONTINUOUS)

* Is development CHARACTERISED by both UNIVERSAL and UNIQUE individual features (ONE COURSE of development or MANY)

* What FACTORS determine development (NATURE/NURTURE)

DETERMINE, DISCUSS, and EVALUATE the POINT OF VIEW with regard to these issues underlying child development of Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory and The Information-Processing Approach

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No 1

[Theory – describes behaviour, explains how, predicts behaviour provides scientific verification]

Vygotsky's Introduction – Course of development

Both continuous and discontinuous.

Primary to Vygotsky Sociocultural theory is the understanding that social interaction (a complex system of relationships) plays a fundamental role in the development of cognition. This statement indicates the underlying Sociocultural standpoint of child development being a continuous process, characterized by unique individual features predominantly facilitated through nurture and affected by multiple levels of the surrounding environment. However when we look deeper into sociocultural theory we can determine aspects which mediate towards a more encompassing standpoint in which it is recognized that language acquisition and the structure of schooling lead to stagewise changes.

Vygotsky's Individual features of Development

Many possible courses

Course of development in thought and behaviour is socially mediated and varies from culture to culture.

Vygotsky's Factors Determining Development

Both nature and nurture

Heredity and brain growth together with the nurturing factor of dialogues with more expert members of society jointly contribute to development. Both easrly and later experiences are...