The Method of Increasing the Cognitive Potential of a Person (R. Feuerstein and R. Guzman)

The article is devoted to the description and analysis of method of development of intelligence Reuven of Feierstein, a distinguished Israeli scholar and a follower of J. Piaget and L.S. Vygotsky. Based on theoretical experience of his great predecessors R. Feuerstein has developed practical methods to develop cognitive functions in children. A significant role is given to training in adult (mediator), whose tasks include the direction and organization of the learning process by using specially developed techniques. Later, Israeli psychologist R. Guzman has adapted these methods for children suffering from Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder, as well as for born blind people. The exception of the visual perception channel in the proposed set of original methods allows children suffering from Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder, to avoid extra stimulation of brain activity and to focus on completing the tasks given by the mediator. Meanwhile, using the tactile methods when working with born blind people, on the contrary, promotes creating “the library of visual images”. Carrying out consistent lessons based on tactile methodology lead to the behavior correction of the children who suffer from Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder and of born blind people of all age groups, as well as it caused the development of immature or absent cognitive functions.

1. Atkinson, R.L., Atkinson, R.S., Smit, E.E., Bem, D., Nolen-Khoeksema, S. Vvedenie v psikhologiyu [Introduction to Psychology]. In V.P. Zinchenko (ed.). St. Petersburg, Praim-Evroznak, 2007, 816 p.
2. Vygotskii, L.S. Sobranie sochinenii [Collected Works]. Vol. 3. Moscow: Pedagogika, 1983, 368 p.
3. Feuerstein, R. The Theory of Structural Modifiability. In B. Preseasons (ed.) Learning and Thinking Styles: Classroom Interaction. Washington, DC, National Education Associations, 1990, 478 p.
4. Feuerstein, R. Rand, Y., Hoffman, M.B., Miller, R. Instrumental Enrichment: An Intervention Program for Cognitive Modifiability. Baltimore, University Park Press, 2004.
5. Gouzman, R. The Instrumental Enrichment Program for Blind Learners. Jerusalem, ICELV, 2000, 172p.
6. Gouzman. R. Enhancement of Orientation in Space Ability of Multi-Challenged Blind Students by Tactile Instrumental Enrichment Program, ICELP, 2006, 152p.
7. Gouzman, R. and Kozulin, A. Enhancing Cognitive Skills in Blind Learners. Paper presented at the Conference of the British Psychological Association. UK, Exeter, 1998, рp. 20–24.