Bruner's theory of cognitive development emphasizes three key learning processes: enactive (action-based learning), iconic (visual learning), and symbolic (language-based learning), which evolve as students grow. The theory prioritizes prior knowledge and encourages discovery learning by guiding students from the known to the unknown, enhancing creativity and logical thinking. Bruner's ideas align with Vygotsky's theories, highlighting the importance of social interaction and scaffolding in the learning process.

1. Bruner’s Theory of
Cognitive Development

2. • Bruner’s Theory of Cognitive Development: Bruner’s Theory consists
of supporting elements in the learning of students.
• This theory has presented the ideas related to the learning of the
students. These principles of Bruner are also known as the Theory of
Learning.
• Bruner (1915–2016) was an American psychologist. He made his
place famous in psychology through his thoughts.
• In this article, we will learn what is Brunner’s theory of cognitive
development?

3. • What is Bruner’s theory of cognitive development
• Bruner defined the theory of learning in three elements. In which he said that
one or three elements should be included in the education system for the
students to learn in the classroom.
• These three elements of Bruner’s theory are as follows-
• 1. Enactive – It is action-based learning. In which the student tries to understand
the objects by doing action and starts establishing the reactions from that object
in the form of memory and characteristics in his mind.
• For example, if give a toy to a child. You see them doing different types of actions
with it. For example, putting it in the mouth or looking at it by rotating it.
• This type of learning is more active in the 0 to 3 years of the students. Under this,
the student tries to learn things on the basis of action-reaction. Due to this, his
memory starts to develop.
• 2. Iconic – In this, the child starts imbibing the characteristics of an object on the
basis of its size, color, etc.

4. • This learning process is more active mainly from 3 to 7 years. In this, the
student is motivated to learn by watching instead of doing an action.
• For example, at this age, students have to show a picture of an object to
remember it. For example, kites, apples, ships etc.
• 3. Symbolic – Under this, the student begins to identify an audio-video or
an object as a sign.
• At this stage, students start learning something on the basis of language
signs.
• For example, if a child is told a lion, then after seeing its picture in his
mind, he feels it and starts accepting the thoughts related to it. In this,
students can easily be taught by giving lectures.
•

5. • Features of Bruner’s theory
• Bruner was a psychologist. He developed the sources of learning related to the students
and expressed certain ideas in the learning of his students.
• Which we can understand in terms of its characteristics as follows:
• Bruner also gives important place to the prior knowledge of the students through this
theory. According to them, the cognitive development of the student is sequence based.
• Bruner also emphasizes on the principle of reinforcement for learning. Such as rewards
and punishments etc.
• According to this, students begin to learn and understand things through their natural
actions and development.
• According to this theory, students try to understand something by using their own
knowledge. Due to which this theory of Bruner is also called Discovery Learning.
• According to them, learning of a topic should be done by taking the students from the
known to the unknown.

6. • Importance of Bruner’s Theory
• Bruner’s theory attaches importance to the prior knowledge of the
students. Due to this, the ideas of scientific principles are also given
importance in education. It develops the Logical Thinking of the students.
• On the basis of this, the memory and imagination power of the students
are developed. It provides opportunities for the students to come to a
conclusion by doing activities on their own. Due to this, creativity skills are
developed in the students.
• These ideas of Bruner are given an important place in the education world.
• This psychological theory of learning is a good way to make the present
modern teaching-learning process effective.

7. • Burner Theory and Vygotsky Theory
• Both Bruner and Vygotsky consider the social environment essential for
learning. Both thinkers emphasize the principle of imitation.
• According to them, students observe the actions of other people and get
experience and knowledge from them.
• Both accept scaffolding learning ideas. According to which the student
always acquires some knowledge with the help of someone.
• According to the students are able to acquire knowledge naturally but they
need proper guidelines based on which the student completes the learning
process.
• There are many similarities between Bruner’s theory and Vygotsky’s
theory. Both give the main place to the natural environment for the
education of the students