According to Vygotsky's theory in cognitive psychology, children primarily construct knowledge through which of the following processes?

• A. Passive absorption of information from the environment
• B. Classical conditioning and reinforcement
• C. Genetic inheritance and biological maturation
• D. Social interaction with more knowledgeable others

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the core concept of Vygotsky's theory, which emphasizes the social nature of cognitive development in children.
2. Step 2: Recognize that Vygotsky proposed that children learn best through social interaction, especially with individuals who have more knowledge or skills (referred to as 'more knowledgeable others').
3. Step 3: Differentiate Vygotsky's approach from other learning processes such as passive absorption, classical conditioning, or purely biological maturation, which are not central to his theory.
4. Step 4: Identify that the key mechanism in Vygotsky's theory is the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), where learning occurs through guided interaction within a child's potential development range.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the primary process by which children construct knowledge according to Vygotsky is through social interaction with more knowledgeable others.