A Bio-Cultural-Historical Approach to the Study of Development

Authors:
  • MCMichael Cole
    Michael Cole
  • MPMartin Packer
    Martin Packer
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Abstract
This chapter identifies an emerging consensus among cultural-developmental scientists concerning the relationship between culture and human ontogeny. It then builds on the areas of this consensus to present an approach, cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT), inspired by L. S. Vygotsky. The body of the chapter reviews a series of examples that illustrate a variety of ontogenetic phenomena pertinent to the formulation of a metatheory that can further organize cultural developmental science. It concludes by considering the challenges that lie ahead if such a metatheory is to be achieved, and offers a preliminary suggestion concerning possible new lines of convergence.