QQuestionPsychology
QuestionPsychology
Functionalist psychologists focus on the function of behavior and:
A. explaining the subconscious
B. the operation of individual parts of the mind
C. the operation of the whole mind rather than the individual parts
D. understanding the id, ego, and superego
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Answer
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Step 1:Let me solve this psychology multiple-choice question about functionalist psychology.
Step 2:: Understanding Functionalism
Functionalism is a school of psychological thought that emerged in the late 19th century, primarily developed by William James. The key characteristic of functionalism is its focus on understanding the PURPOSE or FUNCTION of mental processes and behaviors.
Step 3:: Analyzing the Core Principle
The fundamental principle of functionalism is to examine HOW and WHY mental processes work, rather than breaking down the mind into individual structural components. This means looking at the ENTIRE mental system and its adaptive purposes.
Step 4:: Eliminating Incorrect Options
- Option A (explaining the subconscious) is more associated with psychoanalytic theory, not functionalism - Option B (operation of individual parts of the mind) describes structuralism, the opposite of functionalism - Option D (understanding id, ego, superego) relates to Freudian psychoanalytic theory
Step 5:: Identifying the Correct Answer
Option C directly describes the functionalist approach: "the operation of the whole mind rather than the individual parts"
Final Answer
The operation of the whole mind rather than the individual parts This answer reflects functionalism's holistic approach to understanding mental processes as adaptive systems serving specific purposes in human experience.
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