Sociocultural Psychology

These essays by leading theorists and researchers in sociocultural, cognitive, developmental, and educational psychology honor the memory of Sylvia Scribner, whose work is recognized by each of the authors as seminal to their own thinking. The themes include the relationship between history and culture, the importance of context to thinking, the place of literacy in human activity and thought, and cognition in school and in the workplace. The volume presents applications of activity theory to fundamental issues in human behavior at work, in school, and in problem solving situations, and it analyzes historical-societal processes in science and culture. Scribner\'s conviction that science holds a responsibility to human welfare and understanding is carried on in these chapters. Sociocultural Psychology is crucial reading for researchers and graduate students in sociocultural, cognitive, developmental, and educational psychology.

• In honour of Sylvia Scribner who is a reknowned psychologist • Essential reading for researchers in sociocultural psychology • Presents a coherent argument throughout with applications of the theory provided as examples

1. Introduction Laura Martin, Katherine Nelson and Ethel Tobach; 2. Situated theory as a bridge between psychology, history, and educational dractices Robert Serpell; 3. The uniqueness of human labor Ethel Tobach; 4. Reflecting Russian consciousness Jerome Bruner; 5. Opening vistas for cognitive psychology William Hirst and David Manier; 6. Analysis of developmental processes in sociocultural activity Barbara Rogoff, Barabara Radziszewska and Tracy Miello; 7. Linking thought and setting in the study of workplace learning Laura M. W. Martin; 8. Creating sustainable activity systems: a meso-genetic approach Michael Cole; 9. The abstract and the concrete Rachel Joffe Falmagne; 10. From spontaneous to scientific concepts: continuities and discontinuities from childhood to adulthood Katherine Nelson; 11. The psychology of Japanese literacy: expanding ‘The practice account’ Giyoo Hatano; 12. Voices of thinking and speaking James V. Wertsch, Fran Hagstrom and Eve Kikas; 13. The qualitative analysis of the development of a child’s theoretical knowledge and thinking Mariane Hedegaard; 14. Intellectual and manual labor: implications for developmental theory Joseph Glick; 15. Innovative organizational learning in medical and legal settings Yrjö Engeström; 16. Visionary realism, lifespan discretionary time, and the evolving role of work Howard E. Gruber.