Structuralism and Functionalism: Similarities and Differences
READING AND RESOURCES
Chapter 11: ”American Psychology and Functionalism”
TEZTBOOK: Hergenhahn's An Introduction to the History of Psychology
Tracy Henley.
In this unit you will look at how structuralism gave way to functionalism. Both focused to a great extent on conscious thought. Think about how these schools of thought differ and how they might be applicable today. You will compare and contrast them.
Discuss structuralism and functionalism. How are structuralism (you can include voluntarism) and functionalism different? Do they have any similarities? Why or why not? Which school of thought do you think is more relevant today and why? Choose and discuss at least two concepts from the concept sheet in your answer.
Structuralism and Functionalism
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Structuralism and Functionalism
Structuralism and functionalism are vital psychological schools of thought regarding the brain and behaviors. This paper discusses the two concepts and compares and contrasts them.
Structuralism is a psychology based on pure science and consciousness, and it has little consideration for practical applications (Henley, 2017, pg. 313). Structuralists had assumptions regarding the mind based on French and British empiricism. They aimed to understand the mind’s structure and used introspection as the primary research tool (Henley, 2017, pg. 315). In addition, they practiced voluntarism, the free will to create higher-level perceptual concepts from smaller ones. Conversely, functionalism has much concern for practicality and its assumptions for the mind are based on a combination of the evolutionary theory and an emphasis on people