Appropriations of the Concept of the Zone of Proximal Development and Its Implication

The concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), introduced by L. S. Vygotsky, is one of the author’s key and widely disseminated concepts, but it still generates significant discussions. The aim of this paper is to present some analyses on how this concept has been appropriated and utilized in Brazilian scientific productions. The ZPD is a concept that helps to understand the development process and how concrete social relationships underpin it. Through the analysis of 74 articles, theses, and dissertations, it was possible to understand that the concept of the ZPD is closely linked to the method Vygotsky sought to employ in his theories and his understandings of the world, human beings, and society. It was also possible to reflect on the essential nature of formal teaching and learning processes, where the ZPD can be used voluntarily and consciously to enhance these processes.

Keywords:
Zone of Proximal Development; Vygotsky; Cultural-Historical Theory