Feldman notes that Vygotsky believed that, "by emphasizing particular tasks, culture and society shape the nature of specific cognitive advances. Unless we look at what is important and meaningful to members of a given society, we may seriously underestimate the nature and level of cognitive abilities that ultimately will be attained."

Consider present day America, and listfiveparticular tasks, skills, abilities, expectations, or norms that exist. Comment as to how you think these might be shaping an individual's cognitive focus or development. For example, one of the most commonly asked questions when people first meet, "What do you do for a living?" How might this influence or shape cognitive or personal development? What about new technologies, such as computers, the Internet, ATMs?

In other words, what are some things that children today are exposed to or taught that has an effect on their cognitive development? Explain why you think these things have this effect.