Full Description
Concept formation is predominantly analyzed in classrooms and laboratory experiments, meaning the collective formation of culturally novel concepts in practical activities 'in the wild' has largely been neglected. However, understanding and influencing the complexity and contradictions of the present world demands powerful concepts that can make a difference in practice. Going beyond the understanding of concepts as individually acquired static labels, this book develops a dialectical theory of collective formation of novel concepts in the wild, in everyday activities. Drawing on cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT), concepts are seen as contested and future-oriented means for guiding activities and their transformations. Detailed real-life examples of germ-cell concepts show how they can radically influence the course of development in different activities. Helping to identify and foster the formation of potentially powerful concepts in fields of practice, it is essential reading for researchers, advanced students and practitioners across human and social sciences. This title is also available as open access on Cambridge Core.
Contents
Preface; 1. Introduction: locating concept formation in the wild; 2. Theorizing concept formation in the wild: first lesson; 3. Theorizing concept formation in the wild: cultural-historical activity theory; 4. Functional concepts in organized productive activities; 5. Embodied germ cell at work: building an expansive concept of physical mobility in home care; 6. Double stimulation and concept formation in everyday work: critical encounters between home care workers and their elderley clients; 7. Collective concept formation as creation at work; 8. Concept formation over the long haul: from housing first to housing first 2.0; 9. The consequences of concept formation in the wild.
