1996'6, p.88
Subbotsky E. V.
L. S. Vygotsky's distinction between lower and higher mental functions and recent studies on infant cognitive development
(RESUME)

One of L. S. Vygotsky's most important concepts - that of lower and higher mental functions - is discussed. The author argues that new data on relative inner complexity of some new-borns' and infants' mental functions do not cast any doubts on qualitative differences between lower and higher mental functions. The extraordinary capacities of infants that are now being displayed in a growing number of studies, all though complex, are still lower mental functions and have to go through the route of development.