Cultural-historical methodology of the study of human development in transitions

Abstract

Cultural historical psychology (Vygotsky Luria Leontiev) has inspired researcher in the west to elabo rate a multidisciplinary approach called CHAT (Cultural historical activity theory) or DWR (Developmental work research). Representatives of the modern western approach assign themselves «the third generation» and direct descendants of the founders. Cultural historical psychology today tries to sketch what actually was the methodological revolution of «non classic psychology». Methodological approach to human development is a joint challenge of psychological and multidisciplinary research on human development. Historical philosophical analysis of the roots of activity concept shows that a deeper historical understanding of methodological ideas is necessary [1]. The necessity to develop a non classic approach to human sciences different from natural sciences has been recognized long ago. In his essay on man Cassirer [4] claims referring to Greek classic philosophy that we cannot study human nature with the same methods as the nature of physical objects. Objects can be described using objective attributes, but human beings can be described and defined only in terms of their conscious ness. Thus traditional methods of research cannot be used. The psychology of the beginning of 20th century tried to solve the problem by attempting to develop «objective methods» of studying consciousness. It is possible to understand another person in immediate interaction face to face. Human nature can be grasped in dialogue or by using dialectical thinking. Continuous cooperation between human subjects may lead to the truth because truth is the product of social actions. In living interaction a person recreates and defines himself as a personality. In psychology and multi disciplinary study of activity it is easy to adhere to any research tradition just by declaring certain methodological approach. But in fact concrete research methods do not always correspond dec larations. In other words methods are in contradiction with the (only declared) methodology. Classical natural scientific approach has certain a priori assumptions, which are used in «non classic» psychology or multidisci plinary activity research without noticing the contradic tion with the methodological frame. The first assumption is that the object of the study exists independently of the researcher, is empirically given, possess immanent prop erties that can be experimentally revealed and the study does not change the object. The second is that an explana tory principle is adopted before the experiment and the experimental method exists in a ready made form before the research begins. The third assumption is that the researcher is a detached observer [25]. Alternative methodological approaches like forma tive (projecting) method or developmental work research emphasize research as intervention. Formative experiments aim at anticipated results or products. Three types of analyses (present activity, dynamics of historical changes and «history of theories») result in Cultural historical methodology of the study of human development in transitions

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