Co-constructivismo y relaciones asimétricas

Abstract

This article studies Jaan Valsiner's text "Co-constructivism and developrnent: a socio-historic tradition". Valsiner gives un interpretative perspective to cultural construction and at the same time accepts the asymmetrical character of social relations. The aim of the present study is to discuss the incompatibility of three positions: treating the social as something "shared"; postulating semiotic mediation as the only procedure of cultural transmission; and accepting social asymmetry. Frorn the perspective defended here, asymmetry is equivalent to relations of inequality and social domination. As Pierre Bourdieu believes, these relations are inscribed in both the objectivity of social structures and the subjectivity of mental structures. In addition, social and cultural transmission uses procedures that go beyond intentional discursive exchanges; habits, gestures and actions may have meanings "without meaning to".