Learning aims have been provided to help keep track of the key concepts you need to master in each chapter:

• be able to describe the three theories of cognitive development covered
   
• understand and be able to define the key concepts of Piagetian theory, including adaptation, organization, equilibration, and assimilation and accommodation
   
• be familiar with the four stages of development described by Piaget
   
• be aware of evidence both for and against Piaget’s theory
   
• understand and be able to define the key concepts of Vygotskian theory, including ele­mentary and higher mental functions, internalization, zone of proximal development and scaffolding
   
• be aware of evidence both for and against Vygotsky’s theory
   
• describe the model of the human information processing system covered
   
• understand and be able to define the key concepts of the information processing approach including, long-term and working memory, encoding, automatization and m-space
   
• be able to articulate some of the similarities and differences between the three theories