Just like the body, the human mind finds its impulse to leave the static place and evolves constantly. To observe this movement, a more elaborate and versatile perception is needed in order to understand the nuances involved. This is the case of functionalism in psychology This is a branch of the study of human evolution that you will learn more about now.

What is functionalism in psychology?

Functionalism in psychology combines science, emphasis on the individual, and attention to the practical to assess human evolution In this, he focuses his attention on the behaviors that have changed over time as we have evolved, more specifically, on their purpose and the usefulness they may or may not have along the way.

The functionalist school began with the work of William James with his book Principles of psychology Being prior to Titchener's widespread structuralism, it ends up being preserved and standing out, evolving progressively. This is because many defend the central idea that human consciousness is a chain that changes all the time.

This approach ends up being marked by the personal and continuous character, reflecting the particular and non-divisible experiences, respectively. As for the authors, they focus on knowledge about the reason about mental processes, leaning to search for motivation. In other words, they work to know what moves us to satiate our needs.

Origins and development

The origin of functionalism in psychology comes with the American William James. James was known for his efforts with mystical subjects linked to parapsychology, such as telepathy and spiritism, which erased his prestige. In this, he showed a sensitive aversion to psychological experimentation work, and had little participation here.

His posture as a researcher did not fit experimentalism as some advocated, but he himself did not build a new psychology. James exceptionally propagated his ideas by drawing on the field of functionalism Psychology With this, he influenced the movement and several psychologists that arrived in the following decades.

The current is eventually recognized by John Dewey, Harvey A. Carr, George Herbert Mead, and James Rowland Angell. Although there were other names, these proved to be the main proponents of the functionalist milieu. Regardless, functionalists focused their attention on conscious experience.

Principles

To the adherents of functionalism in psychology, the theory of evolution has influenced assumptions about the human mind. They have always sought to understand how the mind and behavior work so that we can adapt to the environment On this path, any tool with informational value would do, ranging from introspection to the analysis of mental illness.

If an idea worked, it was valid, needing only one requirement to validate the usefulness. According to James, the scientific method used in psychology was to imagine that our behavior was determined. This idea was seen as pragmatism, causing any action or thought to be studied in its consequences.

Based on this thought he ended up formulating two different mindsets, being them:

Tender mentality

Here you have the most optimistic, dogmatic and religiously categorized people.

Difficult mentality

In this place we have the people of a more realistic or direct mentality, such as atheists, empiricists, pessimists... Etc.

William James stated that pragmatism came from the commitment in each mindset when we accept them and use them as needed.

Features

Thanks to the very well constructed structure, functionalism in psychology became easily recognizable and detectable, so much so that the themes of interest to it were divided in a complementary way, which made it easier to understand. Thus, we have:

Opposition

The functionalist school was averse to the mindless search for elements of consciousness.

The Influence of Darwin and James

Each functionalist was influenced directly and indirectly by William James, as well as he was by Charles Darwin.

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Search for the function of mint

Instead of just superficially and aesthetically describing our psyche, the proposal was to understand the function of the mind. With that, credit that mental processes assist the body in adapting to the environment .

The individual difference

Everything that differentiates us from other organisms was valuable, far more than pillars in common.

Practicality

They see psychology as practical and focused on how to apply its findings appropriately in everyday life.

Introspection

Introspection was highly valued when working from tools for research.

Mental processes

Besides being interested in them, seeks to understand how the will can act differently in the same place when needs change .

Main exponents of psychological functionalism

Paragraphs above we mentioned some of the names responsible for the diffusion and consolidation of functionalism in Psychology. Not more or less, each one contributed in his own way for this proposal to become scientifically fixed and perpetuated. With this, we recall:

William James

Although he did not start new movements, he is seen as the researcher with the clearest approach through functionalism. His pragmatism used in psychology was widely commented upon.

John Dewey

He complained about the inflexible distinctions between sensations, acts, and thoughts, pointing out that there is a difference between stimulus and response, which is functional rather than existential.

James Rowland Angell

He actively participated in the expansion of the civil service.

Harvey A. Carr

It extended functionalism through an American school of thought.

Schools

Functionalism in psychology carried principles that were transformed into a school near the 19th century. On this path, it split into two universities, Chicago and Columbia, and the functionalist orientation emerged. While Dewey, Carr, and Angell focused on Chicago, Woodworth and Thorndike worked at Columbia.

Angell took the lead in arguing that the structural aspect of the psyche must be validated by its functions, not assumptions Thus, psychology must recognize the act of judging, remembering, perceiving, etc., rather than feelings and sensations. Thus psychology was proving to be more functional than biology structurally, and also presenting the fact from two sides.

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In turn, the Columbia school makes use of behavioral change supported by motivational pillars. Edward L. Thorndike indicated that a chance set of responses are grouped together based on satisfaction effects. The moment it replaces consciousness with chance it releases the door to behaviorism while conforming to Darwinism.

Applicability

Many consider that mental processes are shown to be the goal of psychology and need diverse approaches. While they do not forget self-observation, they do not get the Titchenerian model of experimental introspection. Not to mention that they defend the impossibility of success in a public observation of self-observation.

In functionalism in psychology, adaptation takes on an ontogenetic character focused on personal adaptation and development. Not simply to survive in one place, but to seek quality of life in such an environment This goes beyond the pure physical environment, taking in social aspects and adjustments of that environment.

Concluding remarks on functionalism in psychology

The study of functionalism in psychology proposes the opening of valuable perspectives on human development It is a personal reformulation, so that we can expand our perception to study the means of change.

This type of approach is valued for its focus on the individual and practicality in analyzing human growth. Quick, simple, yet effective in its means to a specific end.

So does Psychoanalysis in the search for resolutions, which is why we invite you to join our online course. With our Clinical Psychoanalysis course classes, you will have the opportunity to work on your self-knowledge, renew your motivations, and find your full potential. Like functionalism in psychology, we look for practical and complete means to help you reshape your life .