Editing Lev Vygotsky (section)

=== Cultural-historical theory ===
The hypothesis put forward by Vygotsky was a paradigm shift in psychology. He was the first to propose that all psychological functions that govern mental, cognitive, and physical actions of the individual are not immutable but have a history of cultural development (in human history and in everyone personally) through interiorization of cultural tools. Therefore, the process of transformation that is happening when current cultural tools are interiorized becomes the focus of psychological research:

{{blockquote|Formerly, it was assumed that the function exists in the individual in a ready, semi-ready, or rudimentary form and in the group it unfolds, becomes complex, advances, is enriched, or, conversely, is inhibited, suppressed, etc. At present, we have a basis for assuming that in relation to higher mental functions, the matter must be presented as being quite the opposite. Functions initially are formed in the group in the form of relations of the children, then they become mental functions of the individual. Specifically, formerly it was thought that every child was capable of reflection reaching conclusions, proving, finding bases for whatever position. From the collision of such reflections, argument was generated. But the matter is actually something else. Studies show that reflection is generated from argument. The study of all other mental functions brings us to the same conclusion.<ref>Vygotsky L., [https://www.marxists.org/archive/vygotsky/works/1931/higher-mental-functions.htm Genesis of Higher Mental Functions]</ref>}}

Vygotsky posited the existence of lower and higher mental functions. The latter have social origins and complex system structure, mediated by cultural tools and controlled by an individual. Vygotsky came to the conclusion that consciousness is possible because of the mediated nature of higher psychological functions. Between the stimulus and the reaction of a person (both behavioral and mental), an additional connection arises through a mediating link: a stimulus-means or a sign. Signs are tools that mediate higher psychological functions and control one's own behavior. A word could direct attention, create personal meaning, form a concept, and coordinate.

Vygotsky illustrated his idea of mediation via [[Buridan's ass]] paradox. A problematic situation of choosing between two equal possibilities interested Vygotsky primarily from the point of view of solving it through a coin flip, redelegating decision to the outside object, an example of using cultural tools to govern one's own psychological function of volition.

While developing a method for studying higher psychological functions, Vygotsky was guided by the principle of {{Wikt-lang|la|ex ungue leonem}} and additionally analyzed phenomena such as using a knot in the handkerchief for remembering and finger counting.