How would you evaluate Vygotsky's contributions to the understanding of cognitive development?

What will be an ideal response?

A good answer would include the following key points:
- Vygotsky's view of the importance of cultural and societal influences in learning has become increasingly influential.
- His theory has been backed up with research on the importance of social interactions in promoting cognitive development.
- His theory is also consistent with cross-cultural research that finds evidence that cognitive development is shaped by cultural factors.
- His theory has been criticized for lack of precision in his conceptualization of cognitive growth.
- He was also largely silent on the processes of attention and memory.