Schultz History of Psychology 11e PPT Chapter 06-07-PSYC 490

FUNCTIONALISM

ANTECEDENT INFLUENCES

Page 1

Overview of Functionalism

• Focus on the adaptation of behavior and mental processes

Page 2

Topics Covered

• Scientist Captivated by Childlike Jenny

• The Functionalist Protest

• The Evolution Revolution: Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

• Individual Differences: Francis Galton (1822-1911)

• Animal Psychology and the Development of Functionalism

• Selected Discussion Questions

Page 3

Scientist Captivated by Childlike Jenny

Page 4

Childlike Jenny

• Jenny: 2-year-old orangutan displayed at London Zoo (1838)

  • Dressed in girl's dress

  • Sat at a table and used utensils like a spoon and cup

  • Understood directions and knew what was prohibited

Page 5

Jenny’s Humanlike Qualities

• Exhibited a sense of right and wrong

• Could anticipate punishment (e.g., whipping)

• Caught attention of Charles Darwin,

  • Wrote about her intelligence compared to humans

  • Advocated for humility regarding human origins from animals

Page 6

The Functionalist Protest

Page 7

Shift in Psychological Focus

• Darwin's impact on psychology:

  • Attention shifted from structure of consciousness to its functions

  • Functionalism: Concerns how the mind functions in adapting to the environment

    • Emphasis on real-world applications

    • Questions posed:

      • What does the mind do?

      • How does it function?

Page 8

The Evolution Revolution: Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Page 9

Evolutionary Ideas

• Evolution: Living organisms change over time

  • Predates Darwin with ideas from:

    • Erasmus Darwin: Common ancestry theory

    • Jean-Baptiste Lamarck: Bodily modifications for adaptation

    • Charles Lyell: Earth's developmental stages

Page 10

Zeitgeist of the Time

• Scientific exploration of species (biology)

• Questions raised against biblical explanations

  • How could all species fit in the ark?

  • Similarities between species (e.g., Jenny)

  • Fossil discoveries challenging existing species

Page 11

Changes in Intellectual Climate

• Significant changes observed:

  • Industrial Revolution

  • Shifts in values, cultural norms, relationships, and migration

  • Emergence of a mechanistic spirit

Page 12

Darwin’s Background

• Notable ancestry; difficulties in school

• Natural history interest

• Naturalist on HMS Beagle (1831-1836)

  • Explored South America and Tahiti

  • Collected data on flora and fauna

  • Began formulating evolution theory

Page 13

Darwin’s Mental Health

• Developed neurotic symptoms post-Beagle journey:

  • Symptoms: trembling, depression, nausea

  • Fear of condemnation for his ideas

• Worked for 22 years on his landmark book

  • Motivated by Wallace, another theorist

Page 14

On the Origin of Species

• Key points of Darwin’s theory:

  • Natural selection favors traits suited for the environment

  • Concept of survival of the fittest

  • Genetic variation as a law of heredity

• Example: Finches’ beaks adapted under environmental pressures

Page 15

Darwin’s Psychological Impact

• Increased focus on animal psychology

• Shift towards functional analysis of consciousness

• Acceptance of diverse methodologies

• Description and measurement of individual differences emphasized

Page 16

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES: FRANCIS GALTON (1822-1911)

Page 17

Overview of Galton’s Work

• Focused on mental inheritance and individual differences

• Researched genius and mental capacities

• Influenced by zeitgeist similar to Huarte's studies on talented individuals

Page 18

Mental Inheritance

• Examined examples of genius through history

• Argued genius is inherited

• Introduced eugenics concepts to improve inherited traits

  • Suggested intelligence testing with financial incentives for high scores

Page 19

Statistical Methods

• Developed statistical techniques to analyze data

• Utilized the normal curve to describe mental characteristics

• Correlation applied to study relationships between variables

Page 20

Mental Tests

• Assumed motor skills linked to intelligence

• Introduced mental tests focusing on sensory and motor skills

Page 21

Anthropometric Laboratory

• Established to collect data on human psychometric capacities

Page 22

Galton’s Additional Research Areas

• Association of Ideas: Studied diversity in associations and reaction time

• Mental Imagery: Found mental imagery fits a normal curve

• Explored unique topics (e.g., counting by odors)

Page 23

ANIMAL PSYCHOLOGY AND FUNCTIONALISM

Page 24

Role of Animal Psychology

• Darwin's theories fostered interest in animal behavior

• No sharp distinction between humans and animals

• Learning from animal functionality to understand human processes

Page 25

George John Romanes

• Authored Animal Intelligence, the first comparative psychology book

• Created the "mental ladder" classification of animals by mental function

  • Utilized anecdotal observations and introspection through analogy

Page 26

C. Lloyd Morgan

• Critiqued anecdotal methods and introspection by analogy

• Proposed Law of Parsimony: Animal behavior should not attribute higher mental processes when simpler explanations suffice

Page 27

FUNCTIONALISM: DEVELOPMENT AND FOUNDING

Page 28

Topics Overview

• Evolution’s Neurotic Philosopher: Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)

• Evolution’s Arrival in America: Social Darwinism

• Continued Evolution of Machines

• William James: Anticipator of Functional Psychology

• Functional Inequality of Women

Page 29

More Topics

• Contributions of Granville Stanley Hall (1844-1924)

• Founding of Functionalism

• The Chicago School: Key figures included John Dewey, James Rowland Angell, Harvey A. Carr

Page 30

The Final Form of Functionalism

• Functionalism at Columbia University

• Key contributors: Robert Sessions Woodworth

• Critiques and Contributions of Functionalism

Page 31

Evolution's Neurotic Philosopher

Page 32

Herbert Spencer

• Suffered neurotic symptoms affecting work hours

• Symptoms included sensitivity to noise, insomnia, and depression

• Influential philosopher with widely read works, included in university curricula

Page 33

Social Darwinism and Spencer

• Known for Social Darwinism: philosophy framing evolution in human character and institutions

  • Advocated non-intervention from the state in the survival of the fittest

• Resonated well with American values (individualism, enterprise)

Page 34

American Reception of Social Darwinism

• Compatibility with American ideals:

  • Free enterprise

  • Self-sufficiency

  • Minimal government interference

• Spencer's synthetic philosophy correlated knowledge with evolutionary principles

Page 36

Mechanical Evolution

• Evolution not only natural but also mechanical

• Proposed by Butler concerning machines and competition

Page 37

Innovations in Data Processing

• Henry Hollerith: Inventor of an efficient census processing system using punched cards

  • Developed for a more efficient counting of demographics

• Hollerith's enterprise evolved into IBM

Page 39

William James and Functional Psychology

• James as the American precursor to functional psychology

• Did not directly establish functional psychology, but influenced its trajectory

• Criticized for interests in non-scientific phenomena (e.g., telepathy, spiritualism)

Page 40

James's Multidisciplinary Background

• Explored medicine, biology, and literature before committing to psychology

• Experienced neurasthenia, a nervous condition common at the time

• Published The Principles of Psychology, a crucial contribution to the field

Page 41

A New Perspective on Consciousness

• James viewed psychology as the study of mental life and its phenomena

• Critiqued Wundt's approach, emphasizing a continuous flow of consciousness

  • Introduced the concept of a "stream of consciousness"

Page 42

Methods in Psychology

• Advocated for introspection as a core method

• Emphasized the importance of the experimental method but acknowledged its avoidance

• Differentiated between structuralism and functionalism, with functionalism embracing multiple methods

Page 43

Pragmatism and Emotion Theory

• Pragmatism: Validity of ideas based on practical outcomes

• Emotional Theory: Countered prevailing ideas; suggested physical responses precede emotional experiences

  • This laid the groundwork for the James-Lange theory of emotions

Page 44

James's Concept of Self and Habit

• Proposed three components of self:

  • Material: possessions

  • Social: recognition from others

  • Spiritual: inner essence

• Habit: emphasis on physiological impact of repetitive actions influencing behavior

Page 46

The Functional Inequality of Women

Page 47

Contributions of Mary Whiton Calkins

• Student of James, developed paired-associate technique for studying memory

• First woman president of the APA

• Challenged variability hypothesis regarding gender differences in development

Page 48

Contributions of Helen Woolley

• First experimental study testing Darwinian notions of female inferiority

  • Results: no significant differences in emotional or intellectual abilities between genders

  • Cited social factors as influences on perceived differences

Page 49

Contributions of Leta Stetter Hollingworth

• Researched the variability hypothesis extensively

• Found no evidence of female inferiority, refuting the claim

  • Noted menstrual cycles have no significant impact on performance

Page 50

GRANVILLE STANLEY HALL (1844-1924)

Page 51

Hall's Achievements

• First American doctoral degree in psychology

• Established the first psychology laboratory in the U.S.

• First president of Clark University and a key figure in applying psychology

Page 52

Hall’s Theories

• Focused on evolutionary theory regarding mental growth stages

• Developed recapitulation theory: children’s development parallels human evolution

• Controversial aspects in focus on adolescence and sexuality

Page 53

The Founding of Functionalism

Page 54

Emergence of Functionalism

• Not intentionally created but emerged as a reaction to Wundt’s structural limitations

• No single form; focused on mental functions and real-world applications

Page 55

The Chicago School

• Key figures in functionalism included Dewey, Angell, along with James

• Contributed significantly to the establishment of functionalism

Page 56

John Dewey (1859-1952)

• Applied psychology to educational and philosophical issues

• Developed the reflex arc concept, emphasizing holistic experiences

Page 57

James Rowland Angell (1869-1949)

• Authored textbooks that encapsulated functionalist approaches

• Defined psychology's goal: support organisms in adjusting to their environments

Page 58

Contributions of Harvey A. Carr

• Expanded on Angell’s theories, solidified functionalism's role

• Marked the point where functionalism was established without needing to fight against structuralist ideas

Page 63

Functionalism: The Final Form

• Defined psychology as the study of mental activities: memory, perception, feeling, and judgment

• Purpose of mental activities: managing experiences to influence actions

Page 66

Functionalism at Columbia University

• Emerged with its form at Columbia, led by several key figures

• James McKeen Cattell and E.L. Thorndike were notable contributors

Page 67

Robert Sessions Woodworth (1869-1962)

• Developed dynamic psychology, focusing on motivation and behaviors

• Extended psychology by integrating different elements instead of strictly opposing views

Page 69

Criticisms of Functionalism

• Primarily stemmed from structuralist perspectives

• Concerns over functionalism’s deviance from introspection as a valid psychological method

Page 71

Contributions of Functionalism

• Significance of shift from structure to function noted:

  • Research expanded to animal behavior, child psychology, and mental disabilities

  • Incorporation of diverse data collection methods (mental tests, questionnaires)

  • By 1930, functionalism established its victory over structuralism.