Psychological Significance and Difference Between Tools Use by Humans and Animals: P. Y. Galperin's Dissertation

This book is the first unpublished translation of Piotr Galperin's 1938 dissertation, which examined the differences in tool use between humans and animals. Galperin argued that human use of tools is an extension of their limbs and encapsulates cultural and historical experience. His research reveals the unity of external tool-mediated and internal psychological activity of humans, and his findings influenced the theory of Vygotsky.

Format: Hardback
Length: 194 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book represents the very first, so far unpublished, translation of Piotr Galperin's (1902-1988) dissertation, defended in 1938 during his employment in the All-Ukrainian Psycho-Neurological Academy (AUPA) in Kharkiv, Ukraine. In his candidate dissertation, Galperin examined the differences in tool use between humans and animals and argued that there was a fundamental difference between tools developed and used by humans and the auxiliary means used by animals. Galperin showed that human use of tools totally differs from the way tools are utilised by animals as 'an extension of their limbs.' He suggested that tools created and used by humans encapsulate cultural and historical experience developed in human practices, which have to be mastered. Human engagement with these tools reorganises the existing and enhances the development of new psychological functions, and that human consciousness originates and develops in the external tool-mediated activities. The development of new psychological functions stimulates the systemic and meaningful organisation of human consciousness. In addition, as opposed to animal mind, human consciousness undergoes developmental transformations initiated in tools- and speech-mediated activities. Galperin's research reveals the unity of the external tool-mediated and the internal psychological activity of humans. These findings are influential as they adopted the foundations of the theory of Vygotsky and extended them without changing the essence of Vygotsky's legacy. Galperin's dissertation can be considered as a missing jig-saw puzzle that connects the legacy of Vygotsky, the contribution of Leontiev, and their followers who worked in the cultural-historical and activity traditions. This translation of the dissertation in English makes it accessible to a broader audience, allowing scholars and researchers to explore the insights and contributions of Galperin's work in the field of psychology and education.

Weight: 535g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031149283
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022