At the Crossroads of Psychology and Anthropology

A prominent anthropologist in conversation with one of America’s most influential psychologists and educators.

In 1997, anthropologist Bradd Shore set out to interview the distinguished psychologist Jerome Bruner; his theme: psychology and anthropology—what links and separates the disciplines. What emerged over the course of four days was something far broader and more interesting: a wide-ranging conversation that explored the study of human behavior and meaning while capturing the unique energy, complexity, and charm of Bruner's manner of thinking through dialogue. This conversation appears for the first time in At the Crossroads of Psychology and Anthropology, offering readers unprecedented insight into Bruner’s thought and influences—and a unique chance to share the pleasure of his company.

Edited into chapters with brief introductions, the book begins with the influences shaping Bruner’s career, his role in the founding of cognitive psychology, his debates with fellow psychologists, his collaborations with his notable students, and his emerging interest in cultural psychology. The talk touches on contrasting methodologies, approaches to language, sense perception, violence, law, the role of categories in thinking, cultural relativism, the search for universals, and the complex interactions of culture and mind. In addition to portraying two approaches to the human sciences, At the Crossroads of Psychology and Anthropology is an intimate portrait of Bruner, a major shaper of modern psychology—and a demonstration of the dialectical and dialogical nature of his thought in all its fluidity and depth.Introduction
1 The Shape of a Career
2 Anthropology
3 Violence, Justice, and the Dark Side of Life
4 Theoretical Inclinations
5 Dialog and Dialectic
6 Students
7 Extraordinary Life, Ordinary Cognition
8 Scientific versus Folk Theories of Behavior
9 Altruism
10 Categories and Thinking
11 Scientific and Humanistic Thought
12 The “Natural Joints” of Experience
13 Coming to Our Senses
14 Culture
15 Language
16 Law
17 The Classroom
18 Legacy
Acknowledgments
Appendix A: Glossary of Names
Appendix B: General Glossary
Appendix C: Jerome Bruner’s Biography
Appendix D: Jerome Bruner’s Publications
Notes
Index“Most scholars are known primarily for their discoveries, writings, and occasional lectures. In addition to his formidable accomplishments across the social sciences and the humanities, Jerome (Jerry) Bruner was a brilliant conversationalist. Thanks to the efforts of his colleague and friend Bradd Shore, we now have an invaluable record of what it was like to engage in extended conversation with Bruner.”
—Howard Gardner, John H. and Elisabeth A. Hobbs Research Professor of Cognition and Education, Harvard UniversityBradd Shore is Goodrich C. White Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Emory University. Shore was a Fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences and past President of the Society for Psychological Anthropology, which awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.