Characteristics of Functionalism

---

Science + Evolutionary Theory + Interest in the Individual + Concern for Practicality & Applicability

1. Opposed to Elementism & Structuralism

2. More concerned with functions of mind rather than structure or content

3. Based on evolutionary theory

4. Psychology should be applied & practical

5. Accepting of wide variety of research techniques & areas of study

6. Interested in individual differences

7. Strongly influenced by Associationism

Some Prominent Functionalists:
William James?

Hugo Munsterberg - Industrial & Forensic

G. Stanley Hall - Educational & Child Psych

John Dewey - Educational Psych

James McKeen Cattell - Psychological Tests

Robert S. Woodworth - Motivation

Edward Lee Thorndike - Learning Theory

---