Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky

Abstract

Jean Piaget's and Lev Vygotsky's theories of child development are often paired and are rarely discussed without one another. The two men had similar lives, as they were born in the same year and had similar types of life experiences. However, their theories of child cognitive development had major dilferences. One major difference is Piaget's individualistic approach and Vygotsky's collectivist approach. Vygotsky's strong cultural ties influenced his conclusion that culture influences child development, and Piaget's lonely childhood influenced his conclusion that most child development is due to individual cognitive processes. These differences are strongly related to their upbringing and early life experiences and showcase the reasons why two similar men took two different approaches to constructivism.