Functionalism vs Behaviorism
Functionalism and Behaviorism are two distinct schools of thought in psychology. Functionalism, one of the earlier schools of thought, emphasized the importance of studying the functioning of the human mind. In contrast, Behaviorists argued that understanding the human mind was not achievable and that the focus should be on studying human behavior instead. This article will explore the differences between these two schools of thought and provide an overview of each.
What is Functionalism?
Functionalism was developed by William James, John Dewey, Harvey Carr, and John Angell. This school of thought focused primarily on the functioning of mental processes in humans, covering topics such as consciousness, perception, memory, and emotions. Functionalists believed that mental activity could be measured and that this information could help to understand how the mind (and mental processes) function in enabling an individual to adapt to a particular environment. They considered introspection as a possible method for understanding complex mental processes.
What is Behaviorism?
Behaviorism, a school of thought founded by John B. Watson, Ivan Pavlov, and B.F Skinner in the 1920s, emphasized the importance of studying external human behavior. Behaviorists believed that studying the human mind was futile, as it could not be observed, and that behavior was a response to external stimuli. Key assumptions of Behaviorism include determinism, experimentalism, optimism, anti-mentalism, and the idea of nurture over nature.
Behaviorists relied heavily on empiricism and experimentation, using laboratory settings and various animals for their studies. This approach highlighted that psychology was more focused on the study of human behavior as a means of understanding the human being. Prominent figures in Behaviorism, such as Ivan Pavlov, B.F. Skinner, and Albert Bandura, made significant contributions to the field of psychology through their theories of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning theory. These theories have not only advanced psychology as an academic discipline but have also been applied to counseling psychology, helping to use theoretical knowledge for practical purposes when assisting clients.
Key Takeaways
- Functionalism is focused on the functioning of mental processes in humans, while Behaviorism emphasizes the importance of studying external human behavior.
- Functionalists believed that mental activity could be measured and used to understand how the mind functions, while Behaviorists argued that studying the human mind was not achievable and that behavior was a response to external stimuli.
- Behaviorism relies on empiricism and experimentation, using laboratory settings and various animals for their studies, while Functionalism considered introspection as a possible method for understanding complex mental processes.
