PSYC 407 UMBC Vygotsky and Piaget Theories Theory of Cognitive Development Paper

1.  Consider the following three approaches to explaining children’s cognitive development: Piaget, Vygotsky, Information Processing.

Describe 2 of these  approaches, noting important and unique features of each. Include in your description of each approach, 1 strength and 1 weakness. Use research as appropriate to make your argument. For the Information Processing approach, you either may focus on the overall approach or on one of the models within the overarching approach. (12 points)

2.  Children from certain sociocultural groups in the United States (e.g., low income children, Hispanic or African American children, esp. those from low income families) are often considered to be at risk for school failure.  In fact, they often do not do well in school.  The issue can be even greater when such children come from immigrant families. Using existing theory and research in developmental psychology, give 1 reason explaining why certain of these children may have difficulty succeeding in school. (8 points).