Activity Theory and Social Practice Cultural-Historical Approaches

Through the contributions of anthropologists, philosophers, and psychologists, Activity Theory and Social Practice demonstrates the potential of a multidisciplinary approach for the study of activity. Originally a psychological tradition, starting with the work of Lev S Vygotsky and his colleagues in the 1920`s, and continuing with the development of activity theory, the cultural-historical approach has always demanded a multidisciplinary focus. In this volume, cogent theoretical overviews are presented by leading researchers from within the cultural-historical traditions, including Vasily Davydov, Peeter Tulviste, and Vladislav Lektorsky. The contributions of Jerome Bruner, Vera John-Steiner, Martha Nussbaum and Terence Turner, among others, bring forward new dimensions for consideration. The book also investigates specific social practices, including education, workplace collaboration, and individual development. Several chapters show how research is extending beyond the original activity-theoretical framework, taking up, among other things, the mediating role of institutions and organisations and the implications of culture and gender. In short, this book not only presents an overview of main themes in the cultural-historical tradition, but also indicates important directions for further research.