Critical theory exposes hidden assumptions and the interests they served, and offers an alternative conceptualization 4. The dominant focus on mental representations in cognitive science is fundamentally challenged by distributed cognition, situated action, activity theory. Representations for mental computation are shown to be just one form of cognition and are analyzed as the result of historical processes influenced by socio-cultural contexts. The Mental All mental, conceptual, intentional phenomena are dependent upon people living and dead, individually and in groups. Theory of Mind Artifacts which can be used as part of a mental procedure or incorporated into mental procedures are called cognitive artifacts.
Mental procedures are cognitive artifacts.
These meanings are incorporated and preserved in the artifacts, and may become sedimented, alienated, or otherwise transformed through history and socio-cultural context. They are re-activated in effective use of the artifact by people who tacitly understand this meaning. The understanding of cultural artifacts must be learned anew by children and other new-comers. This takes place through social interaction and is a collaborative achievement. The processes by which people learn to use and sometimes to internalize cognitive artifacts is not well understood.