Translation of Vygotsky

Elena A Savina (esavina who-is-at usd.edu)
Tue, 17 Nov 1998 16:29:57 -0600 (CST)

Hi, Florian, the correct translation would be Vygotskiy. I see you are
doing very interesting work about higher mental function, consciousness in
context of russian revolution. Is it about ideological impacts on russian
psychology (particularly, on Vygotskiy)? I think it would be better to say
"higher psychical (or psychological) function". In Vygotskian time
"psychical" and "psychological" were often used as a synonyms. (Now,
as Wertsch noticed recently, the term "psychological" refers to the
psychology as a science and "psychical" to the subject of study). I think,
in russian mentality, the term "mental" is connected more with cognitive
functions. But higher psychical functions include not only cognitive
phenomena but higher emotions and voluntary behaviour as well. Also, of
course, cognitive development (acquisition of meanings) was the focus of
Vygotskiy interests. Best wishes, Elena.