Functionalism In Psychology
The biological and psychoanalytical perspectives in psychology both provide an interesting insight into the various ways we as humans behave. The biological perspective focuses on biological factors, such as neurotransmitters and genes which affect our behaviour. The approach believes that our behaviour is identified through an underlying structure and function known as structuralism. Functionalism is the other concept the biological perspective focuses on which studies behaviour between the environment and organisms.
The psychoanalytical perspective was developed by Sigmund Freud; the approach believes that we are influenced by our unconscious. The psychoanalytical perspective has influenced many areas in psychology, from abnormal psychology …show more content…
These two assumptions still have relevance today and early psychologists who studied this perspective’s believed that the study of conscious thoughts would be the key to understanding the mind. In addition, their approaches to the study of the mind were based on systematic and rigorous observation. This created a foundation for modern psychological experimentation. Structuralism was under heavy scrutiny and new approaches to studying the mind were considered. Functionalism was the alternative founded in the 19th century. This was built on structuralisms concern over the function of the mind (Stangor and Walinga, …show more content…
It is believed that the brain has evolved for the purpose of ensuring survival for the carrier by acting as an information carrier. In processing the information, the brain is deemed to operate as a computer would. However, the brain is far more complex than a computer, can interact with others whereas a computer cannot.
Another core feature of the biological approach is the brain is believed to be compromised of four lobes. The frontal lobe which is involved with expressing language and higher level cognition. The occipital lobe which is involved with interpreting visual stimuli and information, the parietal lobe which processing information such as touch or pain. The final lobe is the temporal lobe which interprets sound and language we hear (Stangor and Walinga,
The psychoanalytical perspective was developed by Sigmund Freud; the approach believes that we are influenced by our unconscious. The psychoanalytical perspective has influenced many areas in psychology, from abnormal psychology …show more content…
These two assumptions still have relevance today and early psychologists who studied this perspective’s believed that the study of conscious thoughts would be the key to understanding the mind. In addition, their approaches to the study of the mind were based on systematic and rigorous observation. This created a foundation for modern psychological experimentation. Structuralism was under heavy scrutiny and new approaches to studying the mind were considered. Functionalism was the alternative founded in the 19th century. This was built on structuralisms concern over the function of the mind (Stangor and Walinga, …show more content…
It is believed that the brain has evolved for the purpose of ensuring survival for the carrier by acting as an information carrier. In processing the information, the brain is deemed to operate as a computer would. However, the brain is far more complex than a computer, can interact with others whereas a computer cannot.
Another core feature of the biological approach is the brain is believed to be compromised of four lobes. The frontal lobe which is involved with expressing language and higher level cognition. The occipital lobe which is involved with interpreting visual stimuli and information, the parietal lobe which processing information such as touch or pain. The final lobe is the temporal lobe which interprets sound and language we hear (Stangor and Walinga,