The article deals with the problems of the formation of abilities, a constructive approach to their understanding and consideration of the structural content is proposed. As the initial elementary unit of the psychological content of cognitive capabilities, it is proposed to consider intellectual operations, and cognitive strategies as operational mechanisms. The author’s classification of cognitive acts is given. Specific ways of developing cognitive strategies within the framework of the author’s educational technology “Purposeful development of cognitive strategies” are considered. This approach is a matching of the cognitive and activity concepts of considering psychological phenomena.