Written for curriculum developers and vocational education instructors, this publication provides an understanding of cognitive concepts and methods using an information processing paradigm and shows how to apply this knowledge in development of curriculum and instructional plans. Chapter 1 reviews needs and characteristics of vocational education students and the objectives of vocational education to which cognitive psychology is applicable. Chapter 2 examines recent advances in cognitive psychology--the new concepts and research methods being introduced--that may be helpful to vocational educators. Chapter 3 suggests implications for what and how instructors should teach in vocational education, including expansion of content to include problem-solving, self-monitoring, and learning skills; teaching of an integrated knowledge structure; and development of critical problem-solving, self-monitoring, and learning skills by students. The chapter concludes with specific suggestions curriculum planners can use. Chapter 4 summarizes the advances and implications for curriculum and instruction and draws conclusions for helping students develop problem-solving and learning skills. Recommendations are proposed for applying cognitive psychology concepts to vocational education. These include development of a problem-solving and learning component, implementation of an information processing approach to learning, and incorporation of practice opportunities for problem solving. (YLB)