Theorist Vygotsky believes the first step in the development of thinking is which of the following?

Vygotsky's theory emphasizes the importance of social interaction in cognitive development, positing that thinking initially emerges through communication with others. This external speech is the foundation upon which more complex forms of thought are built.

According to Vygotsky, children first learn language and communication through their interactions with caregivers and peers. This form of external speech allows them to engage with their environment and learn how to express their thoughts and ideas. As they grow, this external speech transitions into private speech, where they begin to talk to themselves, guiding their own thinking and problem-solving processes. Ultimately, this private speech can evolve into internal speech, which aligns with more abstract and independent forms of thought.

The progression from external to private and then to internal speech illustrates how social context and communication facilitate cognitive development, reinforcing the notion that our interaction with others plays a crucial role in shaping our thinking processes.