Functionalist psychology is schools of psychology, which appeared in the United States at the end of 19 and the beginning of the 20th century. It is the earliest native schools of psychology in the United States. Functionalism psychology in a broad sense includes early functionalism, Chicago functionalism and Colombian functionalism, which embodies the fundamental tendency of American psychology.
Functionalism psychology in a narrow sense refers to the early Chicago functionalism school. This school advocates that consciousness is a continuous whole, emphasizes the adaptive function of psychology and attaches importance to the practical application of psychology, and advocates expanding the research scope of psychology to animal psychology, child psychology, educational psychology, abnormal psychology, difference psychology and other fields.
American functionalism psychology is based on pragmatism and represents the American spirit. James and Dewey are not only the main representatives of American pragmatism philosophy, but also the pioneers and founders of American functionalism psychology. American functionalism psychology directly embodies the values of pragmatism.
Pragmatism emphasizes taking real life as the foundation, taking human actions, beliefs and values as the center of philosophical research, and taking "effect" as the ultimate goal. Although pragmatism focuses on interests in "real life", "action", "belief" and "effect", it reflects the pioneering, pragmatic and hard-working spirit of Americans.
The scientific background of functionalism psychology;
American functionalism psychology is based on Darwin's theory of evolution. Herbert spencer was the first person to introduce the theory of evolution into psychology. He explained the essence of psychological phenomena from the viewpoint of biological evolution, emphasized the role of environment in biological evolution and psychological development, and explained psychological phenomena as different ways of adaptation.
Darwin's theory of evolution discovered the continuity of psychological function between human beings and animals, and promoted the research of comparative psychology. Darwin's theory of evolution attaches importance to individual differences and individual development, and also promotes the study of developmental psychology and individual differences. Deeply influenced by the theory of evolution, Gao Erdun founded the psychology of differences, and studied the individual differences of images by asking and answering questions.