Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Who emphasized the importance of social interaction in cognitive development?

1. Jean Piaget

2. Marie Clay

3. Lev Vygotsky

4. John Dewey

The correct answer is: Jean Piaget

The emphasis on social interaction in cognitive development is most strongly associated with Lev Vygotsky. He proposed that cognitive development occurs through social interactions and that learning is inherently a social process. According to Vygotsky, children learn and develop through their interactions with more knowledgeable others, which can include adults and peers. His concept of the Zone of Proximal Development illustrates how children can achieve higher levels of understanding with support from others. In contrast, while Jean Piaget focused on stages of cognitive development that children pass through, his theory primarily centers on individual discovery and internal processes rather than social interaction as the main driver of cognitive growth. Marie Clay is known for her work in literacy development and guided reading, and John Dewey emphasized experiential learning and education but did not specifically focus on social interaction's role in cognitive development as a primary theory. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes Vygotsky's crucial insights into the role of social interaction in shaping cognitive abilities.