SCHOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGY- FUNCTIONALISM

 

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          In our previous post, we learned about schools of psychology and we had a detailed view on structuralism psychology. In this post, we are going to know about  "Functionalism" one of the systems of psychology. 

Before getting into the topic of functionalism, let's have a brief view on schools of psychology. 

Psychology can be defined as the study of mind and behaviour. It has branched into many subfields such as clinical psychology, child, adult, social psychologies, etc..There are many approaches or schools of thought on the subject of psychology. There are mainly five important schools of psychology. They are

• Structuralism
• Functionalism
• Behaviourism
• Humanism
• Psychoanalysis

FUNCTIONALISM:

             Functionalism is mainly concerned with the adaptive purpose or function of mind and behaviour. This school of psychology studies mind as it functions in adapting the organism to its environment. The major theme or the roots of functionalism can be found in the evolutionary biology of Charles Darwin(1809-1882) and pragmatics philosophy of William James(1842-1910). This functionalist view came into educational psychology and had developed into a movement under the leadership of John Dewey(1859-1952), James Rowland Angell (1869-1949)and Harvey Carr(1873-1954). 

              This school of thought primarily emerged as a reaction to structuralism. Functionalism emphasize function rather than the structure of human consciousness. It defines how the mind allows people to adapt, live, work and play. It emphasizes the individual differences. It denies the theory of structuralism proposed by Wundt and Titchener. It was the first non-German school of psychology. The works on functionalism was later extended by the American functionalists at the University of Columbia and Chicago. 

            "WILLIAM JAMES" was considered to be the founder of functional psychology. He was also known as the founder of American psychology. William James had done his academic career at Harvard University. He was a physiologist psychologist and a philosopher. His books named "Principles of psychology (1890)" and "Talks to teachers (1899)" have a great significance in the field of psychology. James clearly states that mind as it is revealed in behaviour, habits, knowledge and perception is constantly engaged in active give-and-take relations with the environment. Therefore, Mind is useful or functional in adjustment made with the environment. He says, "The great thing in all education is to make the nervous system for Ally instead of our enemy". 

             "JOHN DEWEY (1859-1952)" was a great philosopher, educator and psychologist. He elaborated his interest in psychology while working for his doctorate on Immanuel Kant (1724-1804). In Michigan University, he taught psychology as well as philosophy and he wrote his functionally oriented textbook named Psychology (1986), that became Highly popular with undergraduate students. With his functionalistic view in psychology, Dewey's philosophy for social change as ineludible and capable of being directed for man's benefit. He treated the ideas as the plans for action which helps the individual solve problems of living and adjustment in their living environment. In 1896, he published his famous paper titled, "The Reflex act concept in Psychology" in which he argued that reflexes and other forms of behaviour ought to be interpreted in terms of their significance for adaptation. Dewey believed that the study of the 'organism as a whole functioning in its environment' was the proper subject matter for psychology. Dewey become famous all over the world as an exponent of pragmatic view in philosophy and for his advocacy of progressive education. 

CONTRIBUTIONS OF FUNCTIONALISM TO EDUCATION: 

• The principle of functionalism States that behaviour is adaptable to new situation of life. On that account, the teachers and the principal should provide such an environment to the students for learning as it is opportune to arouse and encourage in learning.
• Functionalism helps to replaced the theoretical you overloaded curriculum by practical approaches.
• Learning by doing was given more importance in the methods of teaching-learning.
• Functionalism intensified the study of various problems of the individual and their solutions. 
• It contributed a great deal to Child Psychology and mental testing.
• It  marked out the importance of understanding the needs of children at different age levels.
• Functionalism determines the aspect of utility. It indicates that the subject which are useful in society should be included in the curriculum.
• It led to the development of scientific enquiry in education and initiated new methods of teaching and learning.

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