Vygotsky is widely considered one of the most significant and influential psychologists of the twentieth century. Nevertheless, true appreciation of his theories has been hindered by a lack of understanding of the background to his thought. Vygotsky's Developmental and Educational Psychology aims to demonstrate how we can come to a new and original understanding of Vygotsky's theories through knowledge of their cultural, philosophical and historical context. Beginning with the main philosophical influences of Marxist and Hegelian thought, this book leads the reader through Vygotsky's life and the development of his own psychology. Central areas covered include: * The child, the levels and consciousness * Motivation and cognition * The relevance of Vygotsky's theories to current research in developmental psychology. This comprehensive survey of Vygotsky's thought will prove an invaluable resource for those studying developmental psychology or education.