Seventy years after his death, the visionary work of Lev Semenovich Vygotsky (1896-1934) continues to have a profound impact on psychology, sociology, education, and other varied disciplines. The Essential Vygotsky selects the most significant writings from all phases of his work, and material from all six volumes of his Collected Works, so that readers can introduce themselves to the pioneering concepts developed by this influential Russian therapist, scholar, and cultural theorist, including: The culturalhistorical approach The role of language in creating the mind The development of memory and perception Defectology (abnormal psychology/learning disabilities/special education) The Zone of Proximal Development Each section features an insightful introduction exploring relevant aspects of Vygotsky's life and illuminating the revolutionary historical context in which these writings were conceived. Together, they reflect the studies he was conducting at the time of his death and the pathbreaking clinical observations that made his reputation. For years, these papers were available mainly in hastily translated underground editions; now The Essential Vygotsky distills them into their most accessible form. Readers will be impressed and inspired by his insights, his optimism, his prescience, and his humanity. These papers are particularly relevant for students of developmental psychology, language, special education, and the history of these fields.

Introduction: A Dialogue with Vygotsky Section I: Problems of General Psychology: Thinking and Speech Section introduction Chapter 1: The Problem and the Method of Investigation Chapter 2: The Genetic Roots of Thinking and Speech Chapter 3: Thought and Word Chapter 4: Perception and Its Development in Childhood Chapter 5: Emotions and Their Development in Childhood References and Notes to Section I Section II: The Fundamentals of Defectology (Abnormal Psychology and Learning Disabilities) Section Introduction Chapter 6: Introduction: The Fundamental Problems of Defectology Chapter 7: The Difficult Child Chapter 8: The Dynamics of Child Character Chapter 9: The Collective as a Factor in the Development of the Abnormal Child Section III: Problems of the Theory and History of Psychology: Crisis in Psychology Section Introduction Chapter 10: The Historical Meaning of the Crisis in Psychology: A Methodological Investigation Sevtion IV: The History of the Development of High Term Mental Functions: Exegesis of Vygotsky''s Text Section Introduction Chapter 11: The Structure of Higher Mental Functions Chapter 12: Mastering Attention Section V: Child Psychology: Vygotsky''s Conception of Psychological Development Section Introduction Chapter 13: Development of Thinking and Formation of Concepts in the Adolescent Chapter 14: Dynamics of Structure of the Adolescent''s Personality Chapter 15: The Crisis at Age Seven Section VI: Scientific Legacy: Tool and Sign in the Development of the Child Section Introduction Chapter 16: The Problem of Practical Intellect in the Psychology of Animals and the Psychology of the Child Chapter 17: The Function of Signs in the Development of Higher Mental Processes Chapter 18: Sign Operations and Organization of Mental Processes Chapter 19: Analysis of Sign Operations of the Child Bibliography of Works about Vygotsky Index