Functional Psychology definition of Functional Psychology in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Functional Psychology

the study of psychic phenomena from the point of view of their function in the adaptation of an organism to its environment. This approach was first used in the late 19th century under the influence of the theory of evolution and the resulting shift in the analysis of consciousness—namely, the shift from element-by-element analysis in the structural psychology of W. Wundt and E. Titchener to the study of consciousness as a factor in the individual’s problem-solving process.

Various schools of functional psychology emerged in Europe; for example, T. Ribot in France, N. N. Lange in Russia, and E. Claparède in Switzerland studied psychological functions from the point of view of the natural sciences, while C. Stumpf and the adherents of the Würzburg school in Germany represented the idealist approach.

In the USA, functional psychology goes back to W. James; the two major trends were represented by J. Dewey, J. Angelí, and H. Carr of the Chicago school and R. Woodworth of the Columbia school. Psychology was regarded as the study of the functions, or “operations,” of consciousness in the organism’s adaptation to a changing natural and social environment. In addition to consciousness, the field of psychological inquiry was enlarged to include behavior (adaptive action), behavioral motivation, and learning mechanisms. While the advocates of this approach made a significant contribution to experimental psychology, their views eventually became less influential; what led to the loss of scientific standing of this approach was its dualistic concept of the relationship between bodily and psychic functions as well as its teleological view of consciousness functioning as a goal-directed entity. American functional psychology was replaced by behaviorism in the 1920’s.

REFERENCES

Iaroshevskii, M. G. Istoriia psikhologii. Moscow, 1966.
Woodworth, R. S. Dynamic Psychology. New York, 1918.
Carr, H. A. Psychology: A Study of Mental Activity. New York, 1927.
Boring, E. G. A History of Experimental Psychology, 2nd ed. New York, 1950.
Misiak, H., and U. Sexton. History of Psychology, 2nd ed. New York–London, 1968.

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No references found			Evolution and functional psychology replaced theology. A Good Life in a World Made Good: Albert Eustace Haydon, 1880-1975 by Radest, Howard B. / The Humanist He viewed the universe as an open-ended, fluid place and integrated this perspective into his functional psychology and his pragmatic philosophy. The legacy of William James by Ivie, Stanley D. / Journal of Thought Schiller's is thus a variety of functional psychology in that it is the consequences of actions that are critical. The comparative psychology of Paul Schiller by Dewsbury, Donald A. / The Psychological Record			functional application functional bombing functional constraint functional database functional decomposition functional dependency functional design Functional Determinant functional diagram functional disorder functional electrical stimulation Functional Electronics Functional Equation functional error recovery functional failure functional forms analysis chart functional generator functional group functional interleaving functional language functional multiplier functional paralysis functional program functional programming functional programming language Functional Psychology functional requirement functional requirements functional residual capacity functional spaces functional specification functional specifications functional switching circuit Functional System functional test functional testing functional unit Functionalism functionality Functions, Increasing and Decreasing Functions, Theory of functor Fund Fund for Animals Fund for the Expansion of Production Fund for the Introduction of new Technology fund-raising fundamental fundamental affine connection Fundamental Astrometry Fundamental Astronomical Constants			Functional Planning Guide functional plans Functional Point of Contact Functional Polymer Capacitor functional position of the hand Functional Prepubertal Castration Syndrome Functional Process Assessment Functional Process Improvement Functional Process Improvement/Personnel Process Improvement Functional process logic Functional Processor Card Functional Product Specification Functional Production Area Functional program Functional programming Functional programming Functional programming language Functional programming language Functional programming languages Functional Programming Languages and Computer Architecture Functional Programming Languages in Education functional progression Functional Proponent Functional Proponent for Preventive Medicine Functional Proponent/Proponent Agency functional proteinuria functional proteinuria functional proteinuria Functional Psychology functional psychosis Functional Purchase Description Functional Qualification Review Functional Qualification Test Functional Quality Functional Quality Assurance Functional Query Language Functional Rating Scale Functional Rating Scale - Revised Functional Rating Scale for Symptoms of Dementia functional reach Functional Reactive Animation Functional reactive programming Functional Records Disposal Authority Functional Recovery Routine Functional Reference Model Functional Refractory Period of Atrioventricular Node functional refractory period of the right atrium Functional Rehabilitation and Sports Therapy Functional Renal Failure of Cirrhosis Functional requirement Functional requirement Functional Requirement Envelope Functional requirements Functional Requirements Allocation