AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -History. The origins of functionalism are traced back to William James, the renowned American psychologist of the late 19th century. James was heavily influenced by Darwin’s theory of evolution, and was critical of the structural approach to psychology that had dominated the field since its inception.

Detailed explanation-2: -Read a brief summary of this topic William James, (born January 11, 1842, New York, New York, U.S.-died August 26, 1910, Chocorua, New Hampshire), American philosopher and psychologist, a leader of the philosophical movement of pragmatism and a founder of the psychological movement of functionalism.

Detailed explanation-3: -James is considered to be a leading thinker of the late 19th century, one of the most influential philosophers of the United States, and the “Father of American psychology".

Detailed explanation-4: -James proposed we instead focus on what he called the “cash value, ” or usefulness, of an idea. According to functionalism, mental activity (e.g. perception, memory, feeling) is to be evaluated in terms of how it serves the organism in adapting to its environment.

Detailed explanation-5: -James’ major contribution to psychology was his book, “The Principles of Psychology” in which he introduced the idea of stream of consciousness and the theory of emotion. He was also notable for teaching one of the first psychology classes and setting up the first experimental psychology lab in America.