Functionalism, as a movement in psychology, emerged as a response to the limitations of structuralism, which was the dominant approach in the late 19th century. Structuralism, as defined by Edward Titchener, focused on breaking down the mind into its basic elements through the method of introspection. Titchener's approach was to study consciousness by analyzing the structure of mental experiences. However, the functionalists argued that this method was too narrow and failed to consider the purpose and adaptive functions of mental processes.

Functionalism began to take shape in the late 19th century, around the 1890s, with the work of several key figures who contributed to its development. Among them were William James, John Dewey, and James Rowland Angell. These pioneers were dissatisfied with the narrow focus of structuralism and sought to understand how the mind functions in the context of an individual's life and the environment.

William James is often credited with being one of the founders of functionalism. His seminal work, "The Principles of Psychology," published in 1890, emphasized the importance of understanding the mind's functions and its role in adapting to the environment. James argued that mental processes should be studied in terms of their purpose and utility, rather than just their structure.

John Dewey, another prominent figure in the functionalist movement, focused on the practical applications of psychology. He believed that psychology should not only be a theoretical science but should also contribute to solving real-world problems. Dewey's work on education reform and his emphasis on learning through experience were significant contributions to the functionalist perspective.

James Rowland Angell, who was a student of William James, also played a crucial role in the development of functionalism. He served as the president of Yale University and was instrumental in establishing psychology as a separate discipline from philosophy. Angell's work on the adaptive functions of the mind and his emphasis on the importance of studying behavior in natural settings were central to the functionalist approach.

Functionalism was characterized by its emphasis on the adaptive functions of mental processes, the importance of studying behavior in context, and the application of psychological knowledge to practical problems. It was a reaction against the rigid, laboratory-focused approach of structuralism and sought to understand the mind as it operates in the real world.

The functionalist movement also paved the way for the development of other psychological theories and approaches, such as behaviorism and cognitive psychology. It influenced the way psychologists thought about the mind and behavior, moving away from a purely structural analysis to a more holistic and dynamic understanding.

In summary, functionalism began in the late 19th century as a reaction to the limitations of structuralism. It emphasized the importance of studying the mind's functions and its role in adaptation, and it sought to apply psychological knowledge to real-world problems. The movement was shaped by the work of key figures such as William James, John Dewey, and James Rowland Angell, and it had a lasting impact on the field of psychology.

read more >>

History. Functionalism was a philosophy opposing the prevailing structuralism of psychology of the late 19th century. Edward Titchener, the main structuralist, gave psychology its first definition as a science of the study of mental experience, of consciousness, to be studied by trained introspection.read more >>