I believe one of the major historical influences on Jerome Bruner was WWII. In fact, he worked with the government at the time looking into propaganda in relation to the war. His view of perception and how it is skewed by the environment was most likely influenced by this time period. Although it seems to have been a long term interest of him. I think that he has carried this on all they way to looking at how cultural perceptions play a role in today's modern courtroom.
In agreement, I believe that Bruner's participation in Eisenhower's Psychological Warfare Division provided significant impetus for Bruner's ideas regarding the psychology of mind. In reviewing his theory on cognition and learning, he seemed to remove himself from reductionist-type theories that may have been proliferate in the Nazi party.
During World War II, he served under General Eisenhower in the Psychological Warfare Division of Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force Europe. After the war he joined the faculty at Harvard University in 1945. When he entered into the psychology field it was rough to decide between the area of perception and the analyses of learning. Through his studies he set a new perspective of the study of perception.
Perception and the environment is quite important to Bruner. World War II was definitely a factor in building his theory along with his interest in Vygotsky. It is intriguing to me that both Vygotsky and Bruner were influenced by the Cold War (Vygotsky) and World War II. Both were exposed to unique social environments which in turn influenced their perception of the world and learning. During these times both theorists were experiencing issues within their environment which caused them to problem solve.
Tahani, you are so right on the importance in his interest on Vygotsky. I think that when Vygotsky became available in the United States, it was a critical time period for Bruner in developing his own theory and he definitely incorporated major aspects.
Bruner's interest in perception clearly served him well while serving in Eisenhower's Psychological Warfare Division since psychological warfare targets the opponent's beliefs and attitudes. How the opponent perceives a particular action is at the heart of psychological warfare. During the late 50's and 60's, psychology was heavily influenced by behaviorist theories. Bruner's experiences during wartime and his background in perception may have caused him to question the predominant theories of that day and seek answers to the role that learning plays in perception.
Bruner’s theory stands between Piaget and Vygotsky and Bruner emphasized the importance of biological and evolutionary constraints on human intelligence like Piaget.
Very interesting to look at him as falling in the middle of the road in regards to the nature/biological versus nurture/environmental debate. He definitely acknowledged the importance of both influences on the development of children.
I believe one of the major historical influences on Jerome Bruner was WWII. In fact, he worked with the government at the time looking into propaganda in relation to the war. His view of perception and how it is skewed by the environment was most likely influenced by this time period. Although it seems to have been a long term interest of him. I think that he has carried this on all they way to looking at how cultural perceptions play a role in today's modern courtroom.
ReplyDeleteIn agreement, I believe that Bruner's participation in Eisenhower's Psychological Warfare Division provided significant impetus for Bruner's ideas regarding the psychology of mind. In reviewing his theory on cognition and learning, he seemed to remove himself from reductionist-type theories that may have been proliferate in the Nazi party.
ReplyDeleteDuring World War II, he served under General Eisenhower in the Psychological Warfare Division of Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force Europe. After the war he joined the faculty at Harvard University in 1945. When he entered into the psychology field it was rough to decide between the area of perception and the analyses of learning. Through his studies he set a new perspective of the study of perception.
ReplyDeletePerception and the environment is quite important to Bruner. World War II was definitely a factor in building his theory along with his interest in Vygotsky. It is intriguing to me that both Vygotsky and Bruner were influenced by the Cold War (Vygotsky) and World War II. Both were exposed to unique social environments which in turn influenced their perception of the world and learning. During these times both theorists were experiencing issues within their environment which caused them to problem solve.
ReplyDeleteTahani, you are so right on the importance in his interest on Vygotsky. I think that when Vygotsky became available in the United States, it was a critical time period for Bruner in developing his own theory and he definitely incorporated major aspects.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to see what would have happened if Bruner and Vygotsky had the opportunity to collaborate with each other.
ReplyDeleteBruner's interest in perception clearly served him well while serving in Eisenhower's Psychological Warfare Division since psychological warfare targets the opponent's beliefs and attitudes. How the opponent perceives a particular action is at the heart of psychological warfare. During the late 50's and 60's, psychology was heavily influenced by behaviorist theories. Bruner's experiences during wartime and his background in perception may have caused him to question the predominant theories of that day and seek answers to the role that learning plays in perception.
ReplyDeleteBruner’s theory stands between Piaget and Vygotsky and Bruner emphasized the importance of biological and evolutionary constraints on human intelligence like Piaget.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting to look at him as falling in the middle of the road in regards to the nature/biological versus nurture/environmental debate. He definitely acknowledged the importance of both influences on the development of children.
ReplyDelete-Joanne