Vygotsky blocks

n. A set of 32 blocks of differing color, width, height, and shape used in a test of concept formation with children. The blocks were developed by L. S. Sakharov and widely used by Lev Vygotsky. In Vygotsky's research, the subject is asked to sort the blocks into categories using nonsense words written on the bottom of the blocks but not explained to the subject. One word usually refers to tall, wide blocks; another to low, wide blocks; a third to tall, thin blocks; and the last to low, thin blocks, and color and shape are irrelevant to the coding scheme. The subject is then asked the meaning of the nonsense words, and younger and older children differ in their explanations: younger children give complex or unworkable convoluted explanations and adolescents begin to give coherent conceptual definitions.