Which of the following theorists while viewing children as active seekers of knowledge emphasized the influence of social and cultural contents on their thinking ?

The correct option is Lev Vygotsky.

Lev Vygotsky was a seminal Russian psychologist who developed the Sociocultural Theory of Cognitive Development. He viewed children as active learners who construct knowledge through interactions with their social environment and cultural context.

Key highlights of Vygotsky's approach include:
1. Social Interaction: Cognitive development is largely driven by interactions with more knowledgeable others (such as parents, teachers, and peers).
2. Cultural Context: Culture determines the specific tools, beliefs, and problem-solving strategies that children acquire.
3. Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): The gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance and encouragement.

Why other options are incorrect:
- John B. Watson: The father of Behaviorism, who focused on observable behavior and conditioning rather than cognitive seeking of knowledge.
- Jean Piaget: While Piaget also viewed children as active seekers of knowledge ("little scientists"), his cognitive development theory emphasized individual maturation and exploration of the physical world rather than social/cultural influences.
- Lawrence Kohlberg: Famous for his stages of moral development rather than general cognitive development in a sociocultural context.