Activity: The Theory, Methodology, and Problems [Hardcover]

Letorsky (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Presents a dialectical style for the reader: contributors explain their position, then criticize the viewpoints of other contributors, and finally respond to their own criticism. Constructs an understandable bridge between the individual and society and explains the constructive potential of the human subject and the historically-accumulated social constraints and cultural meanings mediating everything the subject does. Provides a strong conceptual, theoretical and methodological understanding of the principles of activity. This book is devoted to the discussion of the actual meaning of the problem of activity and the activity-based approach, as well as the real potential and limitations of activity theory. The book is structured in a dialectical style and has contributions from 32 leading specialists. Here is a fresh and rigorous debate. -- From the Publisher

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: CRC Press; 1 edition (January 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878205129
• ISBN-13: 978-1878205124
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,249,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Activity theory flourish but the basic texts are unavailable, May 15, 2000

By 

Birger Hjørland (Bagsværd, Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Activity: The Theory, Methodology, and Problems (Hardcover)

This book is a discussion about Activity theory (AT). AT is a psychological (and philosophical, humanistic and social scientific) approach developed primarily from the works of A.N. Leont'ev (1903-1979).

AT is really flourishing now, also in international and American psychology, in cognitive science and in information science. It is a strange paradox, however, that the basic texts are still not available for the English-speaking readers.

Leontiev's psychology is closely related to that of Lev S. Vygotsky (1896-1934), father of the "cultural historical" or "sociocultural" or "sociocognitive" approach. There is no longer a need, however, to try to stress the importance of Vygotsky's works. He is described as "the Mozart of psychology" and his influence is dramatically growing (he is cited more than 5.600 times in the Social Sciences Citation Index, his "Collected Works" is published in six impressive volumes by Plenum Publ. Corporation; Routledge has published an impressive series of "L.S. Vygotsky: Critical assessments" (price 700$)and any course in developmental psychology these days introduces his thoughts, and they are also beginning to change the self-understanding of cognitive science in a fundamental way. So, Wygotsky is becoming main stream.

The term "activity theory" also flourish. Although this is more related to the work of Leontiev (one of Vygotskys students and coworkers). Activity theory is - among other things - popular in studies of human-computer interaction. The very strange things is, however, that the basic texts are almost unavailable in English.

Leontievs main work is in my opinion "Problems of the development of the mind" (Problemy razvitiia psikhiki). Published in English translation in Moscow by Progress in 1981. This book in not in the catalogue of Amazon, and it has not so far been possible for me to put it there and to review it. Another important book by Leontiev is "Activity, consciousness, and personality" (translated from Russian by Marie J. Hall from "Deiatel'nost', soznanie lichnost'") Published: Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice-Hall, 1978. This book is not in the online catalogue of Prentice-Hall, and not in Amazon, and I have so far not been able to get it there for a review. (It is my hope that this review might inspire some publishers to make new editions).

Why is Leontiev important? I could mention several reasons, but I shall limit myself to one, that of realism. The Danish psychologist Erik Schultz, 1988, p. 65+117 presents the following example: Imagine a teller. What is she doing? Why does she now tell the money? Why does she now speak with that customer? Why does she now turn to a colleague and gives him a piece of paper?

How would different psychological approaches answer these questions? Psychoanalysis might try to explain the teller's behaviour by her unconscious conflicts, which can be traced to early childhood experiences. Behaviourism might try to explain it by referring to reactions to stimuli and to learned behaviour. Cognitivism might try to explain her behaviour by analysing what kind of information processing goes on in her brain, and so on. The "realistic" answer might be found in a detailed knowledge about the working organisation of the bank. Leontyev points out, that persons are not motivated by their biology, but by "the structure of production" (Leontyev, 1981).

Leontievs theories have been very influencial in Denmark, in Germany, in Russia, and in other European countries. They have inspired the development of "german critical psychology" as well as other marxist and non-marxist approaches. An important non-marxist approach in Denmark is called "anthropological psychology" and has a strong influence.

The book under review here presents philosophical discussions related to AT. They are important for those who know the basic theory already. But my primary purpose in writing this review has been to direct the attention towards the primary works of Leontiev. They have been so influencial in the countries where they have been available. Now we need the break-through in the English speaking world.