Which psychologist is known for emphasizing that children learn through interactions with adults?

Lev Vygotsky is recognized for his emphasis on the social aspects of learning, positing that children learn through their interactions with adults and peers. He introduced the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), which illustrates how children can achieve higher levels of understanding and skill with guidance from more knowledgeable individuals. This social interaction is crucial because it allows children to internalize knowledge and develop cognitive skills through shared experiences. Vygotsky believed that cognitive development is heavily influenced by social context and that language plays a key role in the learning process, particularly in adult-child interactions.

Freud, Piaget, and Erikson focused on different aspects of development and learning. Freud's theories centered around emotional and psychological development, Piaget concentrated on stages of cognitive development through individual exploration, and Erikson emphasized psychosocial development across the lifespan. Each of these theorists contributed important insights, but none specifically highlighted the role of adult interaction in learning as prominently as Vygotsky did.