William James and Functionalism
By: Cassie Tolentino and Angelina Lagunzad
functionalism's Importance
- Functionalism broadened the scope of psychological research and application.
- had a profound impact on education
- introduced a wide variety of research techniques
Functionalism
- founded by William James in the late 19th century.
- contradicts with the structuralist approach
- Considers mental life and behavior in terms of active adaptation to the person's environment.
- views that consciousness creates adjustment between the organism and the environment.
- emphasized individual differences
- wanted to explain mental processes in a more accurate and systematic manner
- based upon his philosophy of pragmatism
- drew criticism from both the structuralists and from the behaviorists.
- the structuralists declared that the functionalists were simply not studying psychology at all
Who is William James?
- behaviorists were uncomfortable with the functionalists' acceptance of consciousness
- philosopher, doctor and psychologist
- “Father of American Psychology”
- first educator to offer a psychology course in the United States.
Background
- He was the first child of Swedenborgian Theologian Henry James Sr.
- one of the leading thinkers of the 19th century
The James children were educated by the best tutors in New York City and in Europe.
- Early on, James aspired to be an artist even though his father wanted him to study science.
- one of the most influential philosophers the United States has ever produced
- He studied painting with William Morris Hunt around 1858 for a year, but he eventually chose a different path for his life.
- In 1861, James enrolled at the Lawrence Scientific School and switched to studying medicine at Harvard Medical School in 1864.
- founded one of the first psychology laboratories in the United States.
- The following year, James took a break from his education to join Louis Agassiz's expedition to the Amazon basin.
- He also spent time in France and Germany in 1867 to recuperate from some health woes, including back pains.
- Born on January 11, 1842 in New York City.
- After earning his medical degree in 1869, James decided not to practice medicine.
- He eventually became a lecturer at Harvard.
Influence on Psychology
- Wrote and published 'The Principles of Psychology' .
- Teachings and writings helped establish psychology as a science
- influenced a number of his students who later on became important in psychology
- Wrote extensively about Pragmatism, the James-Lange Theory of Emotion, and Functionalism.