STRUKTURALISME VS FUNGSIONALISME

Summary

This video discusses two major early schools of psychology: structuralism and functionalism. It begins by explaining structuralism, introduced by Wilhelm Wundt and further developed by Edward Titchener. Structuralism focuses on breaking down human consciousness into elemental parts through introspection. The video then transitions to functionalism, an approach led by William James that emphasizes the purpose and function of mental processes, rather than their structure. Functionalism, which arose in America, examines behavior through observation and experimentation, focusing on its practical uses. The video concludes with a comparison of the two schools, inviting further exploration in future content.

Takeaways

• 📘 The video discusses the early schools of psychology, starting with structuralism, which emerged as psychology became recognized as a scientific field.
• 📊 Structuralism focuses on understanding the structured elements of human consciousness, using introspection as a primary research method.
• 👨‍🏫 Wilhelm Wundt is considered the foundational figure in structuralism, but it was Edward Titchener who fully developed and refined the theory.
• 🧠 Introspection involves self-reporting on sensations, perceptions, emotions, and mental processes to analyze the structure of consciousness.
• 🚫 Titchener warned against 'stimulus error,' where participants describe objects by their names rather than their characteristics during introspection.
• 🔍 Titchener identified three mental elements that make up human conscious experience: sensations, images (thoughts), and affections (emotions).
• 🧪 Titchener categorized these elements based on their quality, intensity, duration, and clarity.
• ⚖ There were differences between Wundt and Titchener; for example, Titchener rejected Wundt's ideas of apperception and creative synthesis.
• 🔄 Functionalism arose as a reaction against structuralism, focusing on the purpose and function of behavior and mental processes rather than their structure.
• 💡 Functionalism, led by figures like William James and John Dewey, emphasized pragmatic approaches, particularly in studying the utility of the mind and behavior.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the structuralism school of thought in psychology?

Structuralism focuses on understanding the structure of human consciousness by analyzing its basic elements. Researchers in this school aim to identify and understand the elements of consciousness through methods like introspection.

Who are the key figures associated with the structuralism school of psychology?

Wilhelm Wundt is considered the founder of the foundational ideas of structuralism, although Edward Titchener, his student, is credited with further developing and formalizing the structuralist approach.

What research method did structuralists primarily use to study consciousness?

Structuralists used the method of introspection, which involved individuals reporting their own sensations, perceptions, and feelings in response to specific stimuli.

What is the 'stimulus error' in structuralism?

The 'stimulus error' occurs when a subject names or describes the object (e.g., a pencil) instead of reporting the raw characteristics or sensations of the object, such as color or shape.

What are the three types of mental elements according to Titchener's structuralism?

According to Titchener, the three types of mental elements that make up conscious experience are sensations (related to perception), images (related to ideas), and affective states (related to emotions).

How did Titchener’s view differ from Wundt’s in structuralism?

Titchener rejected Wundt’s ideas of apperception and creative synthesis, which emphasized the active role of consciousness. Instead, Titchener believed that consciousness operated more passively according to associative laws.

What is functionalism in psychology, and how does it differ from structuralism?

Functionalism focuses on the purpose and function of mental processes, examining how mental activities help individuals adapt to their environment. Unlike structuralism, which focuses on the structure of consciousness, functionalism emphasizes the practical uses and functions of mental processes.

Who is the main figure associated with functionalism, and what was his contribution?

William James is the key figure associated with functionalism. He emphasized studying the functions of consciousness and how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environments.

What methods did functionalists use to study behavior and mental processes?

Functionalists used observation of behavior and physiological methods, focusing on how mental and bodily processes function in different conditions. They also used experimental methods to understand stimulus-response relationships.

Why was functionalism considered a response to structuralism?

Functionalism emerged as a reaction to the limitations of structuralism. While structuralism focused on breaking down consciousness into elements, functionalism emphasized studying the purpose of consciousness and how it aids survival and adaptation in practical settings.