John Dewey’s functionalist theory

This researcher had a great influence on Educational Psychology and Psychopedagogy.

There are multiple theories and approaches within psychology. Throughout history, different ways of seeing and studying the human mind have emerged and disappeared.. Initially, the concern of scholars of the psyche was to study what the mind is and how it is configured, looking for its nuclear elements and basic structure.

However, apart from this approach called structuralism, another one appeared in which the main concern was to investigate not so much what or how it was, but what it is for and what functions it has. We are talking about the functionalist theory of John Dewey.

What is functionalism in psychology?

In the field of psychology, functionalism is a current of thought or approach that proposes the need to study psychic phenomena on the basis of their functions, rather than their structure. study psychic phenomena on the basis of the functions they perform, and not on the basis of their structure.. Instead of how, it focuses on why the different psychic functions exist. This movement has as its main object of study the consciousness as an act, and asks what we do and why.

It is considered that the mind's main purpose is to adapt the internal structure to the environment.. At this point a strong influence of evolutionary theories can be observed, which together with the pragmatism of the time would end up configuring this current of thought. This goes hand in hand with a great interest in the effects of the environment on the psyche and the evolution of man. It is based on the idea that behavior cannot be explained as an automatic response to a stimulus, since the mind is a complex system in which different interrelated processes and states occur.

One of its main characteristics is the use of a non-introspective methodology to objectively study the consciousness and the rest of psychic phenomena, accepting any methodology as long as it has useful results. However, it would reject the experimental introspection that used to be used from the structuralist perspective, considering it not very valid and natural (although William James will defend the use of an introspection without training).

This approach to the study of the psyche would end up using association as the main way to explain complex behavior. This brings to mind later schools of thought such as behaviorism, of which functionalism is in fact the most important.of which functionalism is in fact partly a precursor. Functionalism would eventually become integrated into different schools and serve as a precursor to the development of different theoretical models, such as the aforementioned behaviorism or Gestalt psychology.

The functionalists would be pioneers in the study of learning.The functionalists would be pioneers in the study of learning, and it would be from them that the first mental tests would begin to appear (appearing with Cattell). Individual differences and the study of psychopathology would also be driven by this current of thought.

The origin of functionalism: William James

William James is considered the founding father of functionalism.Although he never considered himself as such and rejected the separation of psychology into schools of thought. This author considers that the main objective or function of consciousness is to choose behavior in a way that allows us to survive and adapt as best as possible.

Consciousness is a phenomenon that emerges from action.We are continuously making associations, changing our focus of attention and performing different mental operations in a flow that cannot be stopped.

The main focus of interest of William James was the modulation of this in an adaptive way in different contexts, being interested and investigating in a profuse way aspects such as the formation of habits. He believed that psychology should focus on day-to-day experiences, rather than on phenomena instead of focusing on abstract phenomena and constructs (which are still products of the mind).

Furthermore, this researcher considered it difficult to observe psychic alterations that were not directly observable through behavior or physiological change, and that the psyche and the processes we carry out have an evolutionary meaning that allows survival or else they would have disappeared.

He would also observe and take into account emotions within mental processes, as well as the existence of reflex arcs to emotional stimuli. He conceived emotion as a consequence of an automatic reaction, first the physical reaction and then the emotional reaction.appearing first the physical reaction and then the emotional reaction.

John Dewey and his functionalist theory

John Dewey is another of the great founding fathers of psychological functionalism.. This important psychologist would coincide and start working together with one of William James' disciples, James Angell (who greatly expanded functionalism in different fields), and would be one of the main promoters of the use of pragmatism and the functionalist approach in the educational field. In fact, together they would make the University of Chicago the center of the functionalist school.

This author considered education and learning as key elements for the human being and his development, being very involved in the achievement of social changes.

Dewey worked and analyzed in some of his most important works aspects such as the reflexive arc, coming to the conclusion that the traditional structuralist view, which was based on dividing it intoDewey came to the conclusion that the traditional structuralist view, which was based on dividing it into independent fragments such as sensation, idea and action, was not able to explain the phenomenon, being useful only as a mere description. From a pragmatic and functional point of view, John Dewey considered the need to understand the arc as a whole, rather than the simple sum of its parts.

He advocated a molar and dynamic approach, in which behavior as it functions should be taken into account instead of establishing random divisions and the fact that it evolves and varies over time. And it is that if observed as a whole, the Biological and adaptive role of the physical reaction can be observed. He also considers, as James does in his vision of the functioning of emotional reactions, that behavior is what makes it possible to endow sensations with meaning..

Taken to the world of education, he proposes that this type of separation into differentiated parts is what generates scholastic failureThis is because it does not allow the representation of a whole that integrates all the information. Simple memorization is neither functional nor useful, since it has no meaning that allows survival. He advocated a change in education that would have the stimulation of thought and exploration, versatility and activity. He also advocated inclusion.

For much of his career he played an influential role in educational psychology and psycho-pedagogy.. In fact, he would go on to advise the governments of countries such as China and Russia.

The contrast with structuralism

The main ideas of functionalism emerged at a time when the predominant position was mainly structuralist, emerging as a reaction to it. Functionalism proposed that instead of analyzing the what and how of the psyche, the function or meaning of the psyche and mental processes should be studied.

Titchener, the main founder of the structuralist school, sought to study the human mind in terms of its function and meaning.Titchener, the main founder of the structuralist school, sought to study the human mind from the basic elements or "atoms" that make it up. However, functionalism considered that there are no such elements, the psyche being something fluid and dynamic that cannot be divided or stopped.

In addition, structuralism would understand the consciousness as made up of different types of phenomena: sensations, affects and ideas. Functionalism considers that this division does not allow us to take into account the totality of the consciousness as it is, and therefore does not allow for a valid explanation of the phenomenon, as occurred in the case of the reflex arc. and therefore does not allow for a valid explanation of the phenomenon, as occurred in the case of the reflex arc with Dewey.

Likewise, while structuralism had a focus essentially centered on the theoretical, the functionalist theory of John Dewey and other researchers close to his perspective was more focused on analyzing and giving a practical response to the events that occur in everyday life.

Bibliographical references:

• García, L.; Moya, J. & Rodríguez, S. (1992). History of Psychology. (Vols. I-III). Siglo XXI: Madrid.
• Hothersall, D. (2004). History of psychology. New York: McGraw-Hill.