The Individual's Place in Culture: Metaphors For Cultural Behaviour

Abstract

Lev Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, was extremely interested in the development of thought, language and action. This paper reviews some of his key concepts such as mediation and internalization which he developed to explain the formation of higher psychological functions. These ideas are then complemented by a discussion of recent studies on the processes of metaphoric structuring. Metaphors, as organizing principles, enable both individuals and cultural groups, to change their behaviour and psychological functions.