Dynamic Systems Theory and Sociocultural Theory

Some Connections and Distinctions

Authors

  • Steven G. McCafferty University of Nevada - Las Vegas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/lst.v3i1.30476

Keywords:

Cultural-Historical Consciousness, Dynamic Systems Theory, Second Language Development, Sociocultural Theory

Abstract

Both Dynamic Systems Theory and Sociocultural Theory consider second language development to be complex and dynamic, taking place through change across time. However, each has a different theoretical/methodological perspective, the former focusing on this process primarily as interconnected self-organizing systems and the latter as tied to the psychological development of consciousness as derived through experience across cultural historical contexts of activity. Nonetheless, there are shared elements that deserve recognition and consideration, particularly as regards future research.

Author Biography

  • Steven G. McCafferty, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

    Steven G. McCafferty is a Professor of Applied Linguistics, Department of Educational Psychology and Higher Education, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His research centers on the application of sociocultural theory to second language development. Of particular interest to him is the study of L2 thought and language, which includes the study of gesture.

References

Ben-Eliyahu, A., and Linnenbrink-Garcia, L. (2015). Integrating the regulation of affect, behavior, and cognition into self-regulated learning paradigms among secondary and post-secondary students. Metacognition and Learning, 10 (1): 15–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11409-014-9129-8

Bernacki, M. L., Nokes-Malach, T. J., and Aleven, V. (2015). Examining self-efficacy during learning: variabilitya and relations to behavior, performance, and learning. Metacognition and Learning, 10 (1): 99–117. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11409-014-9127-x

Dema, A. (2015). The development of language and identity: A sociocultural study of five international graduate students living in the US. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Department of Educational Psychology and Higher Education, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Van Geert, P. (2000). The dynamics of general developmental mechanisms: From Piaget and Vygotsky to dynamic systems models. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9 (2): 64–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.00062

Lenzing, A. (2015). Exploring regularities and dynamic systems in L2 development. Language Learning, 65 (1): 89–122. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/lang.12092

Lowie, W. and Verspoor, M. (2015). Variability and variation in second language acquisition orders: A dynamic reevaluation. Language Learning, 65 (1): 63–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/lang.12093

Newman, F. and Holzman, L. (1993). Lev Vygotsky, Revolutionary Scientist, New York: Routledge.

Vygotsky, L.S. (1994). The problem of the environment. In van der Veer, R. and J. Valsiner (Eds), The Vygotsky Reader, 338–354. Oxford, Blackwell Press.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1987). The Collected works of L. S. Vygotsky: Vol. 2. Fundamentals of Defectology (R. W. Reiber and A. S. Carton, (Eds), New York: Plenum Press.

Zhang, X., and Lantolf, J. P. (2015). Natural or artificial: Is the route to L2 development teachable? Language Learning, 65 (1): 152–190. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/lang.12094

Published

2016-04-28

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

McCafferty, S. G. (2016). Dynamic Systems Theory and Sociocultural Theory: Some Connections and Distinctions. Language and Sociocultural Theory, 3(1), 83-88. https://doi.org/10.1558/lst.v3i1.30476