1. Forerunners of Functionalism

2. Functionalism 1st non-German based school of psychology
Study of the functions and adaptive value of the mind
Heavily influenced by Charles Darwin and his cousin Sir Francis Galton

3. Darwin’s theory of evolution
Based upon natural selection – not survival of the fittest
Characteristics that are advantages for survival of one’s offspring will be selected to be passed on
Adults with these characteristics were more likely to survive and have offspring that survive
Adaptability was seen as important

4. “Psychological” contributions of Darwin
Descent of man (1871)
There is no fundamental difference between man and the higher mammals in their mental abilities
Expression of the emotions in man and animals (1872)
Presented a possible cause of insanity
A biographical sketch of an infant (1877)
Recorded his observations of his children’s development

5. Charles Darwin
1831 – 1836 – Darwin’s voyage on the HMS Beagle as a naturalist
1859 – finally published his theory of evolution
Ethical dilemma – Alfred Wallace, another naturalist, sent Darwin a copy of his theory of evolution to get help having it published
Solution – both presented their theories at the same meeting – Darwin’s had much more data and support for the theory

6. Charles Darwin
While his theory was controversial, Darwin was not and did not personally take part in the vicious debate his theory created
He remained friends with church officials, and was buried in a place of honor at his church
Never knighted

7. Opposition to theory of evolution
Religious leaders who were defending church dogma
White supremacists - if all races descended from a common ancestor how could the white race be superior
John Landon Down’s explanation

8. Darwin as a foundation for functionalism
Importance of the study of animals – comparative psychology
Stressed functions of the mind; not the structure
Expanded the methodologies available to study psychological processes
Focused on individual differences and the importance of variation

9. Francis Galton Independently wealthy, intelligent, and curious
Greatest contributions involved the social and psychological implications of evolution
Hereditary Genius (1869)
Eugenics – eminent people should be encouraged to reproduce and discourage the unfit from reproducing
Also important development and use of statistical methods
Use of the mean, normal distribution, standard deviation, and correlation
Regression to the mean

10. 1st psychometric laboratory
Galton created 1st clinic designed to measure human abilities
For 3 pennies, you could have your mental and physical abilities tested
Most measured human attribute was sensory acuity
Men have better discriminatory ability than women
Women better at visual imagery, but . . .

11. Important contributions to psychology
Applied statistical probability to human attributes
Use of the survey or questionnaires to gather data
Study of English and Scottish schools
Development of 2 association tests that are still used today
Word association
Free association
Identical twin studies of nature-nurture

12. Influence of the Zeitgeist
Inquiries into human faculty and its development (1884)
Included 2 chapters on the faculty of prayer
2nd edition 1904
Omitted the 2 chapters on prayer
1909 – he was knighted for his “contributions to science”

13. Social Darwinism of Herbert Spenser
Application of evolutionary theory to social and economic systems
Spenser coined the expression “survival of the fittest
Fit the American personality of the times:
Development of the biggest most powerful companies because they are “most fit”
Genocide of native populations as unfit

14. Application of evolutionary theory
Europe – widely accepted as it applied to biology and development of species
United States – less accepted as it applied to biology, but widely accepted as it was applied to social and economic policy
Problem: data supported the evolution of species, but no evidence of data to suggest social evolution functions the same as physical evolution

15. William James
Considered to be the most important psychologist at the beginning of the 20th century
More of a philosopher – he rejected strict experimental laboratories
Major contributions to psychology presented in his book, Principles of Psychology

16. Principles of Psychology
What was important to know about consciousness was how it worked and its adaptability
4 basic characteristics of consciousness:
It is personal
It is ever-changing
It is continuous
It is selective

17. Principles of Psychology (cont.)
Habit formation – nervous system is plastic; it can be changed by experience until age 30. Habits are reflexes; established pathways between brain areas
Temperament – individuals differ in temperament
Motivation – derived from competing instincts

18. Legacy of William James
His importance and his acceptance of functionalism gave it validity
But, his hatred of the lab and teaching of psychology may have prevented functionalism from being accepted if not for a student who had a more experimental perspective

19. G. Stanley Hall
1st PhD awarded from Harvard department of philosophy and 1st American PhD on a psychological topic – 1878
1884 – professorship and the 1st psychological research laboratory at Johns Hopkins
st president of Clark University

20. General Contributions
Founded the American Journal of Psychology
Founded the Journal of Genetic Psychology
One of the founders of the American Psychological Association in 1892
Brought Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung to the U.S. to speak in 1909
Unique contribution was in developmental psychology
1st psychologist to describe adolescence as a distinctive period of development

21. Influence of evolution
Child development was a recapitulation of evolution
All forms of development (behavioral, social, etc.) recapitulate human evolution
Unable to abandon recapitulation theory of development even when shown to be wrong

22. Interest in sex differences and sex education
Instrumental in the beginning of studying sex differences and education
Led to his opposition to co-education and the education of women between years of age (the adolescent period)

23. Arguments against co-education
Women were not inferior; they were different
3 arguments against co-education:
1. Adolescence was a critical period for the development of female reproductive organs
All female powers were needed during adolescence for proper development of these organs
Education would damage reproductive organs by diverting energy to mental activity
This would result in decreased fertility and sickly children

24. Arguments against co-education
2. Adolescent males needed freedom to engage in cathartic expressions of his savage impulses
Making them be gentlemen resulted in them becoming a feminine or a wild male
3. Natural sex differences during adolescence was the basis for future attraction between sexes
Overexposure leads to disillusionment in both sexes

25. President of Clarke University
From 1896 – 1920 approx. 150 women earned graduate degrees at Clarke
All graduate students admitted by the President
Why the paradox? Education bad for women. We will educate them.
Money

26. Hall and Eugenics
Attempting to improve the human “stock” through selective breeding thereby improving the genetic make up of society
Hall supported government control of reproduction and held a belief in higher and lower classes
Very influential in Europe and North America
Educational discrimination – educational resources should only be spent on the best children (from the best families, of course)