The main principle of Vygotsky’s Cultural-historical
Theory of Psychological Development is that cultural mediators play a role in
psychological development. Examples of cultural mediators include words, signs and
myths. People do not develop in a vacuum. Psychological development is influenced by
the cultural mediators in our lives. As children grow, they learn about the culture
into which they are born and raised. Elements of our culture are passed down to us by
interaction with people around us. We learn the words, speech patterns, symbols and
myths of our culture as we learn everything else.
I would
argue that Vygotsky’s theories are still very much relevant today. Every culture is
unique, and as children grow they are acculturated by those around them. In modern
society, cultural mediators often come through television and other media as well as by
interpersonal contact. Every communication a child has teaches him a bit more about the
world he is growing up in, and influences his development.
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