Concept Formation in the Wild

Based on cultural-historical activity theory, this book presents a dialectical model of concept formation in collective human activities.

Yrjö Engeström (Author)

9781316516706, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 27 June 2024

226 pages
23.5 x 14.4 x 1.5 cm, 0.5 kg

'This book presents a unique perspective on the dynamics of concept formation by examining it in the problem-solving activities of everyday life, where people, individually and collectively, struggle to make sense of phenomena of practical importance. It adds detailed case studies and novel theoretical analyses, drawing from psychologists of the Russian 'cultural-historical' school of psychology to the literature on concept formation and conceptual change. Both make it required reading for philosophers, psychologists, and learning scientists.' Nancy Nersessian, Regents' Professor of Cognitive Science (Emerita), Georgia Institute of Technology

Concept formation is predominantly analyzed in classrooms and laboratory experiments, meaning the collective formation of culturally novel concepts in practical activities 'in the wild' has largely been neglected. However, understanding and influencing the complexity and contradictions of the present world demands powerful concepts that can make a difference in practice. Going beyond the understanding of concepts as individually acquired static labels, this book develops a dialectical theory of collective formation of novel concepts in the wild, in everyday activities. Drawing on cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT), concepts are seen as contested and future-oriented means for guiding activities and their transformations. Detailed real-life examples of germ-cell concepts show how they can radically influence the course of development in different activities. Helping to identify and foster the formation of potentially powerful concepts in fields of practice, it is essential reading for researchers, advanced students and practitioners across human and social sciences. This title is also available as open access on Cambridge Core.

Preface
1. Introduction: locating concept formation in the wild
2. Theorizing concept formation in the wild: first lesson
3. Theorizing concept formation in the wild: cultural-historical activity theory
4. Functional concepts in organized productive activities
5. Embodied germ cell at work: building an expansive concept of physical mobility in home care
6. Double stimulation and concept formation in everyday work: critical encounters between home care workers and their elderley clients
7. Collective concept formation as creation at work
8. Concept formation over the long haul: from housing first to housing first 2.0
9. The consequences of concept formation in the wild.

Subject Areas: Educational psychology [JNC]