BEYOND THE NORMATIVE CHARACTER OF PSYCOLOGY: AN INTERVIEW WITH LUCIANO MECACCI

ABSTRACT The interview with Prof. Luciano Mecacci discusses Vygotsky’s work and his role in translating and globally disseminating his ideas, especially since the 1990s. Mecacci faced challenges with inaccurate translations and interpretations that attempted to frame Vygotsky within cognitive approaches. In 1990, he translated Thought and Language into Italian, and since then, he has edited several publications, including the recent The Human Mind. Five Essays by Lev S. Vygotskij (2022), which explores imagination and play in Vygotsky’s theory. The interview highlights how the perception of Vygotsky has changed over the past decades, emphasizing his focus on social belonging while often neglecting his historical grounding and autonomous participation in the world. Mecacci clarifies Vygotskian pedagogy and its connection to creativity, discussing how his ideas apply to inclusive education and defectology. He points out Alfred Adler’s influence on Vygotsky’s concept of compensation and notes that his work, particularly Fundamentals of Defectology, remains marginal in Special Education research. Mecacci’s work has been essential in promoting a more comprehensive understanding of Vygotsky’s developmental psychology, emphasizing the importance of “difficult childhood” (due to genetic, developmental, or social problems) in shaping a psychological development theory that considers the multiplicity of historical and cultural factors. The interview provides valuable context on the relevance of defectology in the construction of Vygotskian psychology.