Re: ZPD, resistance and conflict
stephanie spina (sspina who-is-at email.gc.cuny.edu)
Wed, 8 Oct 1997 21:00:49 -0400 (EDT)
Francoise -
Yes. Wertsch and Penuel's work on resistance in the ZPD is relevant.
Agency (and resistance is often a form of agency) is located in the
dialectic of conflict. When confronted with an unexpected or difficult
situation, one cannot rely on what one has _learned._ The conflict does
not map reality. Logic can neither account for nor resolve this
experience, so a more _interpretive_ response may take its place
This is also relevant to prolepsis. Although I don't know of any empirical
work on it, I would bet that those from marginalized groups are better at
prolepsis than others. I believe I wrote something about this on the list
in the past, so won't repeat it here.
If you want to explore the "conflict" theory more, check out "The
Psychology of Art." (Can't someone get it back in print? It is possible to
get though, at used book stores sometimes...) Vygotsky's analysis of
Hamlet, in _The Psychology of Art_ describes how the dramatic tension
derives from the opposition between the expected outcome and what actually
happens. Since these incongruities reflect similar discrepancies in life,
Vygotsky argued, their enactment serves as "catharsis" or the discharge
through involvement in dramatic fantasy of [suffering] that would
otherwise be destructive. This and my interpretation of the ZPD are the
basis of my current work on arts and resiliency, which is still in the
early stages. The responses to these ideas are extremely helpful to me in
developing this work. Thank you to all participating in this discussion.
Stephanie
Stephanie Urso Spina
City University of New York
sspina who-is-at email.gc.cuny.edu