Functionalist Theories

• Functionalism


  Developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to structuralism, focusing on the functions of mental processes rather than their structure
• Functionalism


  • Emphasizes the practical functions of consciousness and behavior, aiming to understand how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environment and achieve their goals
• Adaptation and Survival


  Central to functionalism is the idea that mental processes and behaviors serve adaptive purposes, aiding individuals in navigating their environment, solving problems, and surviving
• Structuralism


  Pioneered by Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener, focuses on analyzing the basic elements or structures of consciousness
• Functionalism


  Associated with psychologists like William James, focused on understanding the purpose or function of mental processes and behavior
• Structuralism breaks consciousness into basic elements for analysis


  Functionalism focuses on the purpose and function of mental processes
• Structuralism primarily uses introspection


  Functionalism employs a wider range of methods including observation, experimentation, and studying behavior in natural contexts
• Structuralism emphasizes sensations, perceptions, and feelings as fundamental elements


  Functionalism emphasizes adaptation, purpose, and the functional significance of mental processes
• Structuralism is criticized for its subjective introspective methods, while functionalism is criticized for its lack of precision and focus on practicality over theoretical depth
• Edward Thorndike


  American psychologist born in 1874, known for his work in comparative psychology and educational psychology
• Thorndike


  • Studied animal behavior, particularly on learning and the formation of connections between stimuli and responses
• Thorndike's theory of instrumental or operant conditioning


  Proposed the "law of effect," which states that behaviors followed by positive consequences are strengthened and more likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by negative consequences are weakened and less likely to be repeated
• Thorndike's theories have had a significant impact on education and the development of teaching methods
• Thorndike's ideas laid the groundwork for behaviorism, which became a dominant force in psychology during the early 20th century
• Connectionism


  Thorndike's theory that learning occurs through the establishment of connections, or associations, between a stimulus and a response
• Laws of Learning in Thorndike's Connectionism Theory

  • Law of Effect
  • Law of Exercise
  • Law of Readiness
• Criticisms of Thorndike's Connectionism Theory

  • Simplistic Model
  • Lack of Explanation for Higher Cognitive Functions
  • Limited Scope
  • Mechanistic View
  • Neglect of Social and Cultural Factors
  • Inadequate Account of Individual Differences
• B.F. Skinner


  American psychologist, behaviorist, author, inventor, and social philosopher
• Skinner's work


  • Focused on operant conditioning, behavior modification, and the study of human behavior through controlled experiments
• Operant Conditioning


  Skinner's theory that emphasizes the role of consequences in shaping behavior, where behaviors are reinforced or punished based on their consequences
• Skinner Box


  A controlled environment for studying animal behavior, where Skinner could manipulate variables such as rewards and punishments to observe their effects on behavior
• Positive Reinforcement


  The use of rewards or praise to encourage desired behaviors
• Negative Reinforcement


  The removal of an aversive stimulus to strengthen a behavior
• Skinner's principles have been used in educational settings to design effective teaching strategies, such as using rewards for desired academic behaviors
• Skinner's ideas laid the foundation for behavior modification techniques used in clinical psychology and therapy, such as token economies and systematic desensitization
• Schedules of Reinforcement


  • Continuous Reinforcement Schedule
  • Fixed Ratio (FR) Reinforcement Schedule
  • Variable Ratio (VR) Reinforcement Schedule
  • Fixed Interval (FI) Reinforcement Schedule
  • Variable Interval (VI) Reinforcement Schedule
• Criticisms of Behaviorism


  • Limited Scope
  • Determinism
  • Lack of Generalizability
  • Ethical Concerns
  • Inadequate Account of Language Acquisition
  • Reductionism
  • Lack of Long-term Predictive Power