Whence Container?

Date
2017
Authors
Allen, J. W. P.
Bickhard, M. H.
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Source Title
Human Development
Print ISSN
0018-716X
Electronic ISSN
1423-0054
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Volume
60
Issue
4
Pages
179 - 185
Language
English
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Abstract

The current target article provides a robust investigation of the “cultural character” of cognitive development. This investigation has both theoretical and empirical/ methodological aspects. Methodologically, the authors argue for a unit of analysis concerning the development of object knowledge that includes other agents engaged in communication with the infant (i.e., that includes the sociocultural aspects of the infants’ developmental environment). We agree with such a position and further illustrate its utility in our own analysis of the phenomenon of overimitation. With respect to the underlying theory, we agree with the arguments against strictly cognitivist frameworks (including those with a more recent “embodied” flavor), as well as the fundamental importance ascribed to sociality and culture. However, for some aspects of the pragmatics of the object paradigm we would suggest narrowing the scope about the necessity of culture for development while in other respects we would like to suggest possible elaborations or extensions. Perhaps most fundamentally, we suggest that the physical versus cultural split that frames the target article discussion is not as metaphysically fundamental as seems to be presupposed.

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Published Version (Please cite this version)