Cultural Psychology for a Technologically Transformed Society: A Neo-Structuration Perspective

Area of Science:

• Cultural Psychology
• Sociology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Critiques mainstream cultural psychology, advocating for a structural-systemic approach.
• Draws on Vygotsky, Luria, and Anokhin for understanding psyche and culture.
• Highlights the growing influence of human agency, independent of social determination.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examines Aaro Toomela's cultural psychology project through neo-structuration theory.
• Integrates the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on human agency and culture.
• Refines definitions of 'culture' and 'psyche' and addresses Toomela's core questions.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis integrating sociological neo-structuration theory with cultural psychology.
• Examination of recent socio-technical changes, particularly AI's role.
• Conceptual refinement of key terms and theoretical frameworks.

Main Results:

• Human agency is increasingly pivotal for institutional and community transformation.
• AI presents both risks and opportunities, amplifying human transformative power.
• Proposes enhanced human agency, enabled by technology, as central to cultural psychology.

Conclusions:

• Cultural psychology must account for AI's influence on human agency and cultural content.
• Redefines 'culture' and 'psyche' to incorporate technologically enhanced human agency.
• Human agency, amplified by technology, is crucial for theoretical and practical advancements.