re: whole

nate (schmolze who-is-at students.wisc.edu)
Tue, 23 Mar 1999 09:20:55 -0600

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Some quotes from Collected Works V.4 that point to Vygotsky thinking of =
unit of analyses other than "word meaning".=20

Collected Works: Volume 4
The History of the Development of Higher Mental Processes

In referring to his "instrumental method", Vygotsky argues;=20

"In the higher structure, the sign and methods of its use are the =
functional, determining whole or focus of the whole process".

I see Vygotsky arguing for mediation through cultural means as a unit of =
analyses similar to Wertch's idea of mediation. While Vygotsky does not =
give the tension between cultural means and agents the attention it =
deserves as Wertsch does, he does seem to see mediation through cultural =
means as a unit of analyses. Wasn't this what Vygotsky's studies with =
children in reference to signs in Mind in Society about? It was through =
sign use as a unit of analysis that allowed Vygotsky to study a child's =
development that was alive and in the process of development rather than =
fossilized. I know Wertch argues in Vygotsky and the Social Formation =
of Mind of "word meaning" not being an acceptable unit of analyses or =
psycholgical cell. While Vygotsky does give language a strong =
preverence, my understanding was word meaning was a particular unit of =
analyses, although probally one of Vygotsky's most thought about units, =
that related to thought and word. =20

On page 87, he states;=20

"We might summrize what our comparative considerations of higher and =
lower forms of behavior leads to and say, the unity (unit of analyses) =
of all processes that constitute the higher form is formed on the basis =
of two instances; first, the unity of the problem confronting man (goal =
?) and second, as we have already said, the means that dictate the whole =
structure of the process of behavior (motive ?)".

.=20

=20
Nate Schmolze
http://www.geocities.com/~nschmolze/
schmolze who-is-at students.wisc.edu

People with great passions, people who accomplish great deeds,
People who possess strong feelings even people with great minds
and a strong personality, rarely come out of good little boys and girls
L.S. Vygotsky=20

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Some quotes from Collected Works V.4 = that point to=20 Vygotsky thinking of unit of analyses other than "word meaning". =
 
 
Collected Works: Volume 4
The History of the Development of = Higher Mental=20 Processes
 
In referring to his "instrumental = method", Vygotsky=20 argues;
 
"In the higher structure, the sign and = methods of=20 its use are the functional, determining whole or focus of the whole=20 process".
 
 
I see Vygotsky arguing for mediation = through=20 cultural means as a unit of analyses similar to Wertch's idea of=20 mediation.  While Vygotsky does not give the tension between = cultural means=20 and agents the attention it deserves as Wertsch does, he does seem to = see=20 mediation through cultural means as a unit of analyses. Wasn't this = what=20 Vygotsky's studies with children in reference to signs in Mind in = Society about?=20 It was through sign use as a unit of analysis that allowed = Vygotsky to=20 study a child's development that was alive and in the process of=20 development rather than fossilized.  I know Wertch argues in = Vygotsky and=20 the Social Formation of Mind of "word meaning" not being an = acceptable unit=20 of analyses or psycholgical cell.  While Vygotsky does give = language a=20 strong preverence, my understanding was word meaning was a particular = unit of=20 analyses, although probally one of Vygotsky's most thought about units, = that=20 related to thought and word.       =
 
On page 87, he states;
 
"We might summrize what our = comparative=20 considerations of higher and lower forms of behavior leads to and say,=20 the unity (unit of analyses) of all processes that constitute the = higher=20 form is formed on the basis of two instances; first, the unity of the = problem=20 confronting man (goal ?) and second, as we have already said, the means = that=20 dictate the whole structure of the process of behavior (motive = ?)".
 
.
 
   
Nate Schmolze
http://www.geocities.com/~n= schmolze/
schmolze@students.wisc.edu=
 
People with great passions, people who = accomplish=20 great deeds,
People who possess strong feelings even people with = great=20 minds
and a strong personality, rarely come out of good little boys = and=20 girls
L.S. Vygotsky
 
 
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