Answer to Question #175697 in English for Radebe Ben

Question

is activity theory grounded on social historical theories and draws heavily on vygotsky's concept of mediation?

Answer 1

YES: Activity theory is grounded in social-historical theories and draws heavily on Vygotsky's concept of mediation.

The focus of Activity Theory is on "who is doing what, why, and how."

The AT system has six components: (1) subject; (2) objects; (3) tools; (4) rules; (5) community; and (6) division of labor. Participants in a social structure or curriculum are referred to as "subjects." Subjects' goals are represented by "objects." Subjects use “tools” to accomplish their aims, which may be tangible or intangible technology such as work processes or authority.

The basic Vygotskian triangle (subject, object, and tool) was extended by Engestrom (2000) to include the involvement of three additional elements: (1) community; (2) division of labor; and (3) rules.

What is permitted, who is allowed, when is it allowed, where is it allowed, and how is this outlined is included in rules. The term "community" refers to a group of key players in the social system. The division of labor is a system of assigning duties to members of a group.