Which statement captures the main comparison between Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s developmental theories?

The correct answer highlights a fundamental distinction between the developmental theories of Piaget and Vygotsky. Piaget's theory centers around the concept that children learn and develop through their individual exploration of the world. He emphasized stages of cognitive development where children actively construct knowledge through experiences and interactions with their environment. Piaget believes that intellectual growth is driven primarily by personal discovery and the manipulation of objects.

In contrast, Vygotsky's theory posits that social interaction is critical to cognitive development. He introduced the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), which underscores the importance of collaboration with more knowledgeable others, such as peers or adults, in facilitating learning. Vygotsky argued that cultural context and social environment play a significant role in shaping cognitive processes, emphasizing that learning is inherently a social process.

This comparison illustrates that while Piaget emphasizes individual cognitive processes, Vygotsky focuses on the social dimensions of learning, making option B the most accurate reflection of their differences. The other options do not accurately capture these theoretical distinctions.