Which of the following statements is true of Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development?

• A. Vygotsky proposed that maturation alone determines cognitive abilities.
• B. Vygotsky believed that children progress through four universal stages of cognitive development.
• C. Vygotsky emphasized the importance of social interaction and cultural context in cognitive development.
• D. Vygotsky argued that cognitive development occurs independently of language acquisition.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the core of Vygotsky's theory, which emphasizes the role of social interaction and cultural context in cognitive development, rather than maturation alone or fixed stages.
2. Step 2: Recognize that unlike Piaget, Vygotsky did not propose universal stages of development but focused on how learning is mediated through social interactions and language.
3. Step 3: Note that Vygotsky highlighted the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), which describes how children learn best with guidance from more knowledgeable others, emphasizing social context.
4. Step 4: Understand that language acquisition is central to Vygotsky's theory, as he believed language shapes thought and cognitive development, so cognitive growth is not independent of language.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the true statement aligns with Vygotsky's emphasis on social interaction and cultural context as key drivers of cognitive development.