Functionalism in AP Psychology

Definition

Functionalism is a psychological philosophy that considers mental life and behavior in terms of active adaptation to the person's environment. It focuses on how our mental and behavioral processes function - how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.

Related terms

Structuralism:

This is an early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human mind.

Evolutionary Psychology:

This is a theoretical approach in the social and natural sciences that examines psychological structure from a modern evolutionary perspective.

Adaptation:

In psychology, this refers to the adjustment or changes in behavior, physiology, and structure of an organism to become more suited or fit for an environment.