Jerome Bruner's theory of education: From early Bruner to later Bruner

Abstract

Though a psychologist by training, Jerome Bruner has always been, and still is, one of the leading figures in education. His theory of education in the 1960s and the 1970s directly influenced the programs of education formulated during those decades. The influence of his theory after the 1980s seems to be less direct, and some who read his 1996 book, The Culture of Education, may have an impression that his educational theory has changed. In this paper, I will review the historical significance of the changes in Jerome Bruner's work over his career and their implications for curriculum theory. I will argue that there are, in fact, significant changes in Bruner's views. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.