Interactive minds : life-span perspectives on the social foundation of cognition

Various theoretical models in psychology have emphasized the social foundation of the mind and the role that social interactions play in human development. Interactive Minds emphasizes social transaction and communication between minds without implying particular mechanisms and outcomes. For instance, not all products of interacting minds are positive. Interactive Minds also takes a life-span perspective, which is especially suited for understanding interactive dynamics of behavior and human development. Experts from a variety of fields address such issues as biological aspects of cooperation, the role of social interaction in learning, the conceptualization of linguistic knowledge, and peer problem solving. In a concluding "Epilogue", implications are presented for various fields, including education, developmental and cognitive psychology, and cultural anthropology. Various Theoretical Models In Psychology And The Social Sciences Have Emphasized The Social Foundation Of The Mind And The Role That Social Interactions Play In Cognitive Functioning And Its Development. In This Volume The Metaphor Used To Capture This Is Interactive Minds - A Term Chosen Because It Emphasizes Social Transaction And Communication Between Minds Without Implying Particular Mechanisms Or Outcomes. For Instance, We Include In Our Conceptualization Of Interactive Minds Both Internal And External Forms Of Interaction With Others. In Addition, We Emphasize That Not All Products Of Interacting Minds Are Positive. Besides Focusing On The Social Foundation Of Cognition, Interactive Minds Takes A Life-span Perspective, Which Is Especially Suitable For Understanding Interactive Dynamics Of Behavior And Human Development. Each Of The Authors Deals With A Different Topic And Each Presents A Clear Analysis Of The Basic Dimensions Of The Problem. Among The Issues Addressed Are Biological-evolutionary Aspects Of Cooperation, The Role Of Social Interaction In Learning, The Conceptualization Of Linguistic Knowledge, Peer Problem Solving, The Psychological Study Of Wisdom, Gender Dynamics, Collaborative Memory In Adults And The Elderly, Cooperative Construction Of Expert Knowledge, And Communities Of Practice In University Study. Part I: General Theoretical Framework. The Evolution Of Cooperation Within And Between Generations / Peter Hammerstein -- Interacting Minds In A Life-span Perspective: A Cultural-historical Approach To Culture And Cognitive Development / Michael Cole -- Essentially Social: On The Origin Of Linguistic Knowledge In The Individual / Wolfgang Klein -- Knowledge And The Construction Of Women's Development / Gisela Labouvie-vief. Part Ii: Research On Ontogenetic Development. Peer Interactive Minds: Developmental, Theoretical, And Methodological Issues / Margarita Azmitia -- Collaborative Rules: How Are People Supposed To Work With One Another? / Jacqueline J. Goodnow -- The Lifelong Transformation Of Moral Goals Through Social Influence / William Damon -- Adults Telling And Retelling Stories Collaboratively / Roger A. Dixon And Odette N. Gould -- Planning About Life: Toward A Social-interactive Perspective / Jacqui Smith -- Wisdom And The Social-interactive Foundation Of The Mind / Ursula M. Staudinger. Part Iii: Perspectives From Cognitive And Educational Psychology. Rationality: Why Social Context Matters / Gerd Gigerenzer -- Styles Of Thinking / Robert J. Sternberg -- Cooperative Construction Of Expert Knowledge: The Case Of Knowledge Engineering / Gerhard Strube, Dietmar Janetzko, And Markus Knauff -- Communities Of Practice Toward Expertise: Social Foundation Of University Instruction / Heinz Mandl, Hans Gruber, And Alexander Renkl -- Epilogue: Reflections And Future Perspectives / Peter Graf [and Others]. Edited By Paul B. Baltes, Ursula M. Staudinger. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. This chapter explores the basic explanatory patterns that evolutionary biologists use in their contemporary studies of cooperation.