Cultural Historical Psychology and the Reset of History

Pablo Del Río,Amelia Álvarez

doi:10.1007/s12124-021-09649-1

Abstract

The authors argue that, in the research trajectory of cultural historical psychology, there are nuclear aspects of Vygotsky’s theory that have been insufficiently considered. Three of these aspects are herein discussed: the intense and rapid changes to mediational processes and their influence on human psyche; meaningful findings on neuroplasticity that require a neuropsychological approach; and, perhaps most importantly, the need for cultural historical approach, and for psychology at large, to return to the study of the direction and meaning of human life.

Highlights

For several decades, scholars from all around the world have invested a considerable and sustained effort to recover Vygotsky’s legacy, allowing his work to become a reference point in contemporary psychology
It is well-known that the theory proposed by Vygotsky was a system that situated the genesis of higher psychological functions in the action of culture, via mediations, throughout history
The cultural emphasis underlines that it is not just biology, and culture, that which determines the construction of higher psychological functions; on the other hand, the historical emphasis underlines that higher psychological functions are a product of history, both that of the species’ and of each individual of that species (Veresov, 2020, p. 111)

Summary

Introduction

Scholars from all around the world have invested a considerable and sustained effort to recover Vygotsky’s legacy, allowing his work to become a reference point in contemporary psychology. It is well-known that the theory proposed by Vygotsky was a system that situated the genesis of higher psychological functions in the action of culture, via mediations, throughout history.

Results

Conclusion