I think that an appreciation of Werner's work leads one to think that
emotion has a more central role than psychologists usually acknowledge.
One of the pertinent questions to ask is how we explain the developmental
transition from emotional beings (in infancy) to rational beings (in
adulthood)? Of course both Piaget and Vygotsky can offer answers, but it
is not a question which arises, stated in those terms, from their
theories. (Valerie Walkerdine's work should also be noted.)
Back to the question about the transition from emotion to rationality as
the primary mode of being. For Wernerians the short answer is "symbol
formation". Briefly, the symbolic means we use to represent experience
give it shape, give it form; conversely, by representing experience, we
transform it. And I think we can also speak of artifacts and cultural
practices in this way.
I know this is rather condensed. I hope I've made the point that
Werner's theory can easily be part of contemporary dialogue on the
representation of "reality".
David
David Kritt
Human Development & Family Studies Program
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-6861