Higher psychological functions on Brazilian Stricto sensu research

a systematic review in BDTD

Abstract

The concept of higher mental functions (HMF), conceived by Lev S. Vygotsky and widely used in educational and psychological research, is considered central in this author's work and in developments of Cultural-Historical Theory scope. Given its theoretical-practical relevance, and the absence of an investigation that systematizes how this concept has been studied among Brazilian researchers, this article presents the results of a systematic review carried out in Brazilian Theses and Dissertations Digital Library. The research on screen aimed to verify the presence and incidence of the HMF concept in Stricto sensu investigations developed in postgraduate programs in Brazil. The search for “higher mental functions” resulted in 114 researches, 75 Master’s Thesis and 39 PhD Dissertations. The main results indicate: the majority published in the second decade of the 21st century; 62% developed in programs in the area of Education and 22% in Psychology; concentration in the Southeast (43%) and South (37%) regions, mostly in the states of São Paulo, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul; only 9% in the Northeast region, 8% in the Center-West and less than 2% in the North Region – highlighting regional asymmetries concerning this concept study. The most frequent themes are related to teaching practices, special education and aspects related to language, which helps to demystify the idea that Vygotsky's concepts would not have “applicability” in educational contexts of practices. The present work, finally, contributes with an unprecedented detailed systematization about the presence and incidence of HMF concept on Brazilian Stricto sensu research.