Chapter 6 Roots of Functional Psychology

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the roots of functional psychology, its emergence, and the influence of Darwinian evolution on psychological theories.

Functional Psychology

The first uniquely American system of psychology focusing on how the mind helps organisms adapt to environmental challenges.

What is the focus of functional Psychlogy

What the mind does (function) not structure

Why was the zeitgeist the rise of science?

Because people questioned religion/traditional beliefs specifically the biblical creation (Adam and Eve and Noahs Arc)

What happened in 1800s in Europe?

Zeitgeist which was the rise of science

Protest against Wundt and Titchener

Functional Psychology emerged as a response to the structuralist approaches of Wundt and Titchener, emphasizing the operation of the mind rather than its substance.

Jean-Baptiste LaMarck

Proposed a behavioral theory of evolution; suggested that behavioral changes could affect evolutionary development.

Ex: giraffes stretched neck to reach leaves overtime necks longer

Charles Lyell

Studied geographical evolution and believed earth changes gradually overtime through natural processes

Aristotle

Studied animals and nature and wrote about animal structures like bird wings

Al Jahiz

Survival of the fittest idea

Erasmus Darwin

Believed god created life but organisms can develop/change overtime (was a fatty)

Evolutionary Theory

Charles Darwin’s framework explaining the variability of traits in species and how those traits affect survival and reproduction.

Charles Darwin Book

“On the Orgin of species” collected evidence for 22 years and was supported by Alfred Wallace

Natural Selection

The process through which traits that promote adaptability are passed on, while less adaptive traits are not.

Natural selection - variation

Members of a species are different from each other

Natural Selection - Survival

Individual with less adaptive traits die off

Natural Selection - reproduction

Individual with better traits survive and reproduce

Natural Selection - inheritance

Helpful traits get passed to next generation

Darwin's Finches Study

Research demonstrating adaptability in finches' beak sizes due to environmental changes over several decades. SHOWS adaptation to environment

Drought =

Hard seeds and thick beaks survive

Rain =

Small seeds and thin beaks survive

Comparative Psychology

A field of psychology that studies similarities and differences across species to understand evolution and adaptation.

The Descent of Man (1871)

Darwin's work providing evidence for human evolution and emphasizing the importance of studying individual differences.

Key ideas in The Descnet of Man by Darwin

1. Human evolved from lower species

2. Humans and animals share similar traits

Which led to the study of animals, children, and individual differences

Psychology of Personality

A branch of psychology focused on understanding individual differences in behavior and personality traits.

Darwins own personal traits

Observant and hard working, loved science poor health, and moderate ability

Functional Psychlogy =

Adaption

Evolution explains…

Behavior and mental processes

Darwin made Psychlogy more …

Scientific and biological