Early Psychology—Structuralism and Functionalism Flashcards
What is Functionalism
focused on how mental activities helped an organism adapt to its environment
What is Structuralism
understanding the conscious experience through introspection
Who introduced Structuralism
William Wundt
Who is William Wundt (1832 - 1920)
a German scientist who was the first person to be referred to as a psychologist.
Wundt’s famous book
Principles of Physiological Psychology, published in 1873
What is internal perception or introspection
a process by which someone examines their own conscious experience as objectively as possible
Why did Wundt wrote Volkerpsychologie in 1904
He suggested that psychology should include the study of culture, as it involves the study of people.
Who is Edward Titchener
One of Wundt’s students. He built upon Wundt’s ideas to develop the idea concept of structuralism
What is Adaptation
It means that a trait of an organism has a function for the survival and reproduction of the individual, because it has been naturally selected
What were functionalists interested in?
They were more interested in the operation of the whole mind rather than of its individual parts, which were the focus of structuralism.
What was Wilhelm Wundt interested in?
He is interested in identifying and categorizing the various aspects of sensations and perceptions
