What did Lev Vygotsky emphasize in his work regarding culture?

Lev Vygotsky emphasized the significant role of culture in shaping cognitive development. He believed that cognitive processes are profoundly influenced by cultural tools and social interactions, which contribute to how individuals think and learn. Vygotsky's theory posits that cognitive development cannot be understood in isolation; rather, it is deeply embedded in the social and cultural contexts in which we live.

Through his concepts such as the "Zone of Proximal Development" and the importance of social interaction in learning, Vygotsky illustrated that children's cognitive abilities develop in collaboration with more knowledgeable others, highlighting the mediated nature of learning through cultural practices. This understanding suggests that different cultures may foster different cognitive abilities and approaches to learning, emphasizing that cognitive development varies significantly across different cultural contexts rather than being uniform across all societies.