2. Early Approaches in Psychology 2.1 Structuralism 2.2 Functionalism

2.1 Structuralism: Structuralism was one of the earliest approaches in psychology, developed by Wilhelm Wundt in the late 19th century. This approach focused on analyzing the basic elements of consciousness and how they combine to form more complex mental experiences. Structuralists believed that by breaking down mental processes into their basic components, they could better understand the workings of the mind.

2.2 Functionalism: Functionalism emerged as a response to structuralism and was developed by William James in the late 19th century. This approach focused on the functions of mental processes and behavior, rather than just the structure of consciousness. Functionalists believed that behavior and mental processes serve a purpose in helping individuals adapt to their environment and survive. They also emphasized the importance of studying individual differences and the practical applications of psychology in everyday life.

## 2. Early Approaches in Psychology

### 2.1 Structuralism

Key Figures: Wilhelm Wundt, Edward Titchener

Goals: To understand the basic building blocks of consciousness.

Methods:

- Introspection: Trained observers reported their own conscious experiences.
- Experimental variation: Researchers manipulated stimuli to isolate specific components.

Findings:

- Consciousness could be broken down into three basic elements: sensations, feelings, and images.
- Sensations were further divided into four modalities: visual, auditory, tactile, and taste-smell.
- Structuralists sought to understand the relationships between these elements to create a "map" of consciousness.

Limitations:

- Introspection was subjective and could lead to biased results.
- Failed to account for higher-level cognitive processes.

### 2.2 Functionalism

Key Figures: William James, John Dewey

Goals: To understand the function or purpose of consciousness.

Methods:

- Observation: Researchers observed behavior in natural settings.
- Experimental research: Studies focused on how animals and humans adapted to their environments.

Findings:

- Consciousness was not a static entity but rather a process that evolved to help organisms survive and thrive.
- Mental processes were functional, serving adaptive purposes such as problem-solving, memory, and attention.
- Emphasized the importance of individual differences and the influence of the environment on behavior.

Limitations:

- Lacked a systematic approach for understanding consciousness.
- Focused on observable behavior rather than internal mental processes.