What is the Difference Between Functionalism and Behaviorism?

Functionalism and Behaviorism are two schools of thought in psychology that differ in their approaches to understanding the mind and mental processes. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. Focus: Functionalism is concerned with the functioning of mental processes, such as consciousness, memory, perception, and feelings. Behaviorism, on the other hand, focuses on the external behavior of human beings and their response to stimuli.
2. Mental States: Functionalism emphasizes that mental states are individuated by their causes and effects, and that the identity of a mental state is determined by its causal relations with other mental states and behavior. Behaviorism, however, believes that mental states depend on how a creature behaves in response to a stimulus.
3. Methodology: Functionalism tends to be more theoretical and abstract, while Behaviorism takes a scientific, empirical approach, gaining evidence through observing behavior and controlled experimental activities.
4. Level of Analysis: Functionalism looks at the mental processes of the mind, such as inputs, mental events, and outputs. Behaviorism, in contrast, is primarily concerned with inputs and outputs, focusing on the observable behavior of individuals.
5. Causality: Functionalism agrees with Behaviorism that mental states and events are individuated by their causes and effects. However, Functionalism allows for a wider range of causal relations, whereas Behaviorism is more focused on direct stimulus-response relationships.

In summary, Functionalism and Behaviorism are two distinct approaches to understanding the mind and mental processes. Functionalism is more focused on the functioning of mental processes and their causal relationships, while Behaviorism emphasizes the external behavior of individuals and their response to stimuli.

Comparative Table: Functionalism vs Behaviorism

Functionalism and Behaviorism are two different psychological theories that approach the study of the mind and behavior in distinct ways. Here is a table highlighting the key differences between the two:

In summary, functionalism focuses on the mind and its mental processes, while behaviorism centers on external forces and their influence on behavior. Functionalism examines how mental processes function in different psychological situations, whereas behaviorism looks at the response to stimuli offered by the environment through a process of trial and error.