Functionalistic Theory ©

The Importance of the Functionalistic Theory
Jeannette Villatoro
BKJ0934A
Professor Susan Robertson
August 22, 2009












The Importance of the Funcionalistic Theory

Psychology has explored many learning theories that are still present among studies today. One pioneering theory delved into the inner workings of the mind and how it functions in concurrence with the environment. Functionalism battled previous notions of learning in early psychology and has held a strong foundation for many following psychologists and scientists. The main points of the functionalistic theory are the conscience of an organism and how the environment affects that conscience. These components of functionalism were diligently supported and expanded by three significant psychological theorists.

William James has been established as the founder of the functionalistic theory (Hergenhahn, Olson, 2005). The conscience of an organism was his main focus as he attempted to prove its significance and influence on how an organism ultimately functions in the world. James argued that a conscience not only had a strong purpose, but he also contended that the conscience could be changed in its deliverance as affected by the environment (Thornton, 1982). Behavior of an organism was the main focus of the functionalistic theory and many theorists pursued functionalism and contributed to the theory greatly.

Perhaps one of the most prominent and impacting influences on psychology and the functionalistic theory was Edward L. Thorndike who brought the theory of learning to a much-needed vibrancy. Thorndike’s work revolved around behaviorism and comparative psychology, along with intelligence testing and many more facets not yet fully discovered in psychology during his time (Hergenhahn, Olson, 2005). Thorndike utilized animal testing to uncover the mysteries of the mind and how conscience and intelligence play a role in the behaviors and actions of an organism. In essence, Thorndike paved the way for future studies in functionalism by explaining behavior and intelligence through animal testing and interpreting the results and applying them to human means.

Burrhus Frederic Skinner is yet another major donor to the theories of learning. Skinner focused intently on behaviorism and how organisms react to their environment (Hergenhahn, Olson, 2005). This is a very important aspect of the functionalistic theory, as functionalism serves as a measure of how behavior and environmental influences change and shape one’s actions and conscience. Skinner studied the misbehavior of organisms and what causes such things to occur. This is has always been a serious matter in society because it relates to the causal effects of the mind in relation to bad deeds. When crimes are committed or behavior reaches a boiling point, it was originally Skinner who attempted to discover why. Skinner was a major opposition to most psychologists because of his belief that a systematic form of behavior technology can be implemented to radically change the way an organism behaves, and furthermore, Skinner induced that it is completely necessary to eradicate negative behaviors that seemingly surface within every working mind. This was of course inhibiting to the widely believed notion that human beings are “rational, free, and dignified” (Hergehahn, Olson, 2005, p.110). Skinner “discounted the empirical as well as philosophical components of behaviorism” (Thornton, 1982, p.1) in testing elements of human nature that many believed impossible to touch scientifically.

Clark Leonard Hull had just as much authority over the functionalistic theory as the others, yet he brought a more logical structure to the study of behavior. He established harmonizing postulates and theorems to prove the empirical nature of these scientific theories. Unlike other psychologists whom swam in the beginning waters of the functionalistic theory of learning, Hull indeed subscribed to the conception that “empirical observations, supplemented by shrewd conjuncture” (Hergenhahn, Olson, 2005, p. 132) was the recipe needed for successful behavioral study. Hull’s contributions were unique and quite necessary because the functionalistic theory concentrated on aspects of psychology that were difficult to prove using standard scientific procedures and empirical examinations. With Hull’s commonsensical systems of theoretical study, functionalism was propelled into the continuum of meaningful psychological exploration.

Functionalism is a fascinating principle of psychology that began in a time in which the study of the mind was almost a mythical pursuit. Physiological psychology and the basic workings of the brain had been tirelessly driven into contemplation among many theorists. This brought about a wonderment of the conscience, how it drives an organism, and if the environment can bring a strong diversity to how that conscience works. With major breakthroughs in behaviorism introduced by the pioneering theorists that lead functionalism into the present time, it is safe to say that the study of the conscience and its relation to behavior will continue to penetrate many psychological studies in the future.





References

Hergenhahn, B.R., Olson, M, (2005). An introduction to theories of learning (7th
edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Thornton, Edward E. (1982). A transpersonal critique of behaviorism. Journal of
Religion and Health, 21, Retrieved August 28, 2009, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/27505655.