Structuralism vs. Functionalism

Summary

Structuralism and functionalism are two early psychological theories. Structuralists, likening the mind to a building, sought the mental structures behind our behaviors and emotions, but were limited by the lack of advanced technology. Functionalists, inspired by Darwin, believed behaviors must serve a purpose to survive, such as crying which alerts others to distress and provides comfort. Modern psychology integrates elements of both, focusing on the biological basis of behavior and its evolutionary function.

Takeaways

• 🏛 Structuralism posits that there are inherent structures in the mind that dictate our behavior, thoughts, and feelings, similar to the architectural elements of a building like the White House.
• 🧠 Early structuralists were correct in their belief that there are specific brain structures responsible for functions like speech and emotional responses, although they lacked the technology to identify them.
• 🔬 The advent of technologies like MRI and PET scanners has allowed for the identification of brain structures, which was not possible during the peak of structuralism in the late 1800s.
• 🦅 Functionalism, inspired by Charles Darwin, suggests that every behavior has a purpose or function that contributes to its survival, such as crying which serves multiple purposes like alerting others to distress and releasing comforting hormones.
• 🤔 Functionalists explore the purpose behind behaviors, questioning why certain actions persist, like crying which also helps to clear dust from the eyes.
• 🌿 The biological approach in modern psychology retains elements of structuralism, focusing on the physical structures of the brain and their roles in behavior and cognition.
• 🌱 Behavioral and evolutionary approaches in psychology are rooted in functionalism, emphasizing the adaptive purposes of behaviors in response to environmental pressures.
• 🔄 The shift from structuralism to other approaches was due to the limitations of the technology available at the time, which has since advanced to support structuralist theories.
• 🧪 Modern psychologists may not identify strictly as structuralists or functionalists, but they incorporate aspects of both theories into their work, reflecting a more holistic understanding of behavior and mind.
• 🌟 The historical theories of structuralism and functionalism have laid the groundwork for contemporary psychological research, influencing the study of brain structures and the adaptive functions of behavior.

Q & A

What is structuralism in psychology?

Structuralism is a psychological theory that suggests there are structures or elements within the mind that determine our behavior, thoughts, and feelings, similar to how different parts of a building combine to form its structure.

How does the analogy of the White House relate to structuralism?

The analogy of the White House is used to illustrate how structuralists aim to identify the parts of the brain that, when combined, result in our behavior, thoughts, and emotions, just as the columns, windows, and portico combine to form the White House.

What technological limitations did early structuralists face?

Early structuralists did not have access to advanced technologies like MRI or PET scanners, which limited their ability to identify specific brain structures that influence behavior and cognition.

What is the main idea behind functionalism in psychology?

Functionalism posits that every behavior has a purpose or function that contributes to an organism's survival and adaptation, drawing inspiration from Charles Darwin's work on evolution.

Can you provide an example of how functionalists might analyze crying?

Functionalists might explore the purpose of crying by considering how it alerts others to potential distress, releases comforting hormones, and helps clear dust from the eyes, all of which serve adaptive functions.

How have modern psychologists integrated elements of structuralism and functionalism?

While modern psychologists may not explicitly identify as structuralists or functionalists, they often incorporate biological perspectives that resonate with structuralism and behavioral and evolutionary approaches rooted in functionalism.

What role did Charles Darwin's work play in the development of functionalism?

Charles Darwin's work on evolution influenced functionalism by emphasizing the importance of behaviors serving a purpose for survival, which is a core tenet of the functionalist perspective.

How did the limitations in technology affect the progression from structuralism to other theories?

The lack of advanced technology to identify brain structures led to the decline in popularity of structuralism, as it was unable to provide empirical evidence for its theories, paving the way for other approaches to emerge.

What are some modern equivalents to the structuralist and functionalist approaches in psychology?

Modern equivalents to structuralism might include cognitive neuroscience, which studies the brain's structure and its relation to cognition, while functionalist ideas are reflected in evolutionary psychology and behavioral ecology.

Why did structuralism become less popular in the late 1800s?

Structuralism declined in popularity in the late 1800s due to the lack of empirical evidence and technological tools to support its theories about the mind's structures, leading to a shift towards other psychological approaches.

How do the concepts of structuralism and functionalism contribute to our understanding of human behavior today?

The concepts of structuralism and functionalism contribute to our understanding of human behavior by providing a framework for considering how the brain's structure influences behavior (structuralism) and how behaviors serve adaptive purposes (functionalism).