Final answer:
Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of development is predicated on the importance of social interaction, which is contrary to the notion that adults should merely observe as babies learn. Instead, he advocated for guided learning within the Zone of Proximal Development, making the claim that adults should only watch babies to see how they learn false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that Vygotsky believed adults should just watch babies to see how they learn is false. Lev Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, is famous for his sociocultural theory of development, which emphasizes the crucial role of social interaction in cognitive development. Vygotsky's theory suggests that learning is an inherently social process, involving guidance or collaboration with more knowledgeable others, often adults, or peers.
According to Vygotsky, the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) describes the difference between what a learner can do without help and what he or she can achieve with guidance and encouragement from a skilled partner. Therefore, Vygotsky's view involves active engagement and interaction with children rather than mere observation.
Observational learning, as described by Bandura, does involve learning by watching others, but this is not to be confused with Vygotsky's more interactive approach to learning and development where adults are co-participants rather than just onlookers.