Activity theory is a dead end for cultural-historical psychology

Ln this article, activity theory is analysed. Specific examples for the ana lysis are taken from Ratner's (2000) article on emotions. It is concluded t hat activity theory in general and Ratner's approach in particular are defi cient at three different levels of analysis: from a general theoretical app roach to the study of mind to specific details of how particular mental phe nomena and their development are studied. Reasons are proposed for why acti vity theory in principle cannot solve those deficiencies. It is proposed th at Vygotsky's cultural-historical psychology may be more suitable for under standing the human mind and its genesis.