Chapter 11 - American Psychology and Functionalism

Question 1

Functionalism emphasis

Answer 1

Individual differences, evolutionary theory, and practicality
E.g., the function of traits/behaviours as evolutionary adaptations

Question 2

Characteristics of functionalism

Answer 2

Opposition to search for “elements” of consciousness (i.e., structuralism)
Belief and interest in mental processes having functions that enable adaptation
Belief that psychology should be a practical rather than “pure” science
Broadened psychology to include research on animals, children, and “abnormal” humans using a variety of methods
Focus on behaviours as well as mental processes (i.e., behaviourism)
Interest in motivation
Interest in human differences rather than similarities
All functionalists were influenced by William James

Question 3

William James claim to fame

Answer 3

Father of Functionalism
Father of American psychology

Question 4

What did James believe about psychology?

Answer 4

It should be scientific and philosophical (e.g., free will is effort of attention)

Question 5

James’s book

Answer 5

Principles of Psychology (1890)

Question 6

2 main sections of Principles of Psychology (1890)

Answer 6

Pragmatism
Individual differences

Question 7

Pragmatism, broadly

Answer 7

If an idea works, it is valid
A philosophical school established by James

Question 8

Principles of Psychology (1890) other sections

Answer 8

Entertained ideas related to religions, mysticism, psychic phenomena
Critical evaluation of Wundt’s psychology
“A microscopic psychology has arisen in Germany”

Question 9

How did James describe consciousness?

Answer 9

Stream of consciousness

Question 10

Aspects of stream of consciousness

Answer 10

Personal (depends on experiences)
Continuous (cannot be divided up for analysis)
Constantly changing (“flows” like a stream)
Selective (voluntary)
Functional (purposeful/adaptive)

Question 11

James: Habits and instincts

Answer 11

Habits: instinct-like patterns of behaviour we develop through repetition (i.e., neural pathways)
Functional because they simplify movements, increase accuracy, reduce fatigue, free up attention

Question 12

Empirical self

Answer 12

Everything that a person can call their own

Question 13

3 divisions of the empirical self

Answer 13

Material self
Social self
Spiritual self

Question 14

Material self

Answer 14

Extension of the self into the body, clothes, and possessions (e.g., cars and cell phones)

Question 15

Social self

Answer 15

The self known by others (i.e., the part of the self related to group membership)

Question 16

James’s quote about social selves

Answer 16

“A man has as many social selves as there are individuals who recognize him and carry an image of him in their mind”

Question 17

Spiritual self

Answer 17

A person’s state of consciousness; experience of subjective reality

Question 18

What does the spiritual self include?

Answer 18

Morality, emotions, personality traits, attitudes, and beliefs (e.g., extraversion, agreeableness, environmentalism)

Question 19

The empirical self (i.e., self-concept) is…

Answer 19

Partly known and partly knower, partly object and partly subject

Question 20

What did James acknowledge regarding the empirical self?

Answer 20

The difficulty in understanding the “self as knower/observer”

Question 21

I am me

Answer 21

The me: a person’s constructed sense of self
The I: the observer or the seat of awareness and consciousness (pure ego/soul/spirit/transcendental ego)

Question 22

Self-esteem

Answer 22

Ratio of things attempted (potentialities) and things achieved (actualities)

Question 23

How can one achieve self-esteem?

Answer 23

Either by achieving more or attempting less

Question 24

Who said the following quote: “To give up pretensions is as blessed a relief as to get them gratified”

Answer 24

James

Question 25

Who said the following quote: “How pleasant is the day when we give up striving to be young - or slender! […] Everything added to the Self is a burden as well as a pride.”

Answer 25

James

Question 26

Who said the following quote: “A certain man who lost every penny during our civil war went and actually rolled in the dust, saying he had not felt so free and happy since he was born”

Answer 26

James

Question 27

James and emotions

Answer 27

Rejected idea that perception directly causes an emotion
Believed our emotions arise from what we do physically (i.e., our perceptions cause bodily reactions that are then experienced as emotions”

Question 28

What was James’s advice regarding emotions?

Answer 28

Act the way you want to feel

Question 29

According to James, how is the self related to emotions

Answer 29

I/observer/knower is not attached to emotions
Without the bodily states following on perception, perception would be purely cognitive

Question 30

Pragmatism

Answer 30

Any thought, belief, or behaviour must be judged by its consequences
E.g., the idea of free will is satisfying, and therefore valid

Question 31

Is truth discoverable according to James?

Answer 31

No, it changes according to effectiveness; a postmodernist perspective

Question 32

Who said the following quote: “Rationalism sticks to logic […] Empiricism sticks to the external senses. Pragmatism is willing to take anything, to follow either logic or the senses and to count the humblest and most personal experiences […] if they have practical consequences.

Answer 32

James