"In particular, a description of activity only in terms of activeness of a=
social subject makes it impossible for us to understand human creativity or=
to indicate the source of the new. I believe that N.S. Zlobin raises=
exactly this problem.
Indeed, if the subject of activity is no more than personified society, i.e.=
if he acts only in accordance with social norms and standards, then where=
do changes in these standards come from and how do new norms appear? We=
cannot answer this question if we do not turn to the personality of the=
acting subject, if we do not recognize that he is more than just a product=
of social relations. Zlobin believes that goal-setting constitutes the=
source of the new, i.e. not the conditions, but a freely acting subject=
himself determines the choice of a goal. I fully agree with this view and=
would even go further to say that, when the subject analyzes the=
circumstances, selects his goal, elaborates a plan of action, or chooses=
his means, although he relies on socially accepted norms and standards, he=
is nonetheless guided by his own understanding of the situation, his tastes=
and preferences. That is why different individuals perform in different=
ways even one and the same activity and the result of an activity carries=
the imprint of the personality of the agent. Society cannot generate the=
new. It is generated only by the individual who violates existing social=
norms and standards, puts features of his individuality into action, often=
makes mistakes, fails to attain his goals, sometimes even perishes, but=
sometimes is successful and creates new models of activity and behavior.=
That is why no matter how important it is to describe activity in terms of=
the social relations it embodies, it is no less important to describe it as=
creative self-expression by an individual. "
A.L. Nikiforov,
The Common and the Individual in Activity,
In 'Activity: The Theory, Methodology, and Problems.' V.P. Lektorsky ed.
Bill Barowy, Associate Professor
Technology in Education
Lesley College, 31 Everett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-2790=20
Phone: 617-349-8168 / Fax: 617-349-8169
http://www.lesley.edu/faculty/wbarowy/Barowy.html
_______________________
"One of life's quiet excitements is to stand somewhat apart from yourself
and watch yourself softly become the author of something beautiful."
[Norman Maclean in "A river runs through it."]