Psychology Unit 1 History and Approaches Bellwork How

Psychology Unit 1: History and Approaches Bellwork: • How do you go about completing a puzzle (where do you start, is there a proper method, etc. )? Learning Target: today we will explain theories of structuralism and functionalism (psychological approaches) and apply them to solving a puzzle; we will assess which approach is best

Structuralism vs Functionalism In your groups, you will each receive a bag containing puzzle pieces – please don’t look at them or do anything with them yet We are going to apply structuralism to the puzzles In your groups, each pull out 1 puzzle piece, but don’t share anything about your piece or make any assumptions about what the puzzle might look like Just describe your piece in your head – only the shape, colors, etc. Now, describe your pieces to one another in your group the way you did in your head and determine if any pieces may be connected

Structuralism Could you put the puzzle together in this way – by just telling each other descriptions? Structuralism = an approach that seeks to identify the basic building blocks or “structures” of mental life through introspection (self-analysis) and determine how these elements combine to form the whole of experience How did you apply it to the puzzle, (what did you do? )? Your opinion of structuralism (usefulness, difficulty, etc. )?

Functionalism Now, with your piece of the puzzle, think about the purpose or function of the piece Is your piece a corner, edge, a filling for a sky or part of a face, etc. ? Share with your group and see if you believe any pieces are connected

Functionalism = studies the way the mind functions to enable humans to adapt to their environment How did you apply it to the puzzle, (what did you do? )? Your opinion of functionalism (usefulness, difficulty, etc. )?

Gestalt Approach Complete your puzzles with your group Use the functionalist approach to help one another connect pieces according to their function Use the structuralist approach to connect pieces based on their individual components Gestalt approach = Looking at the human mind and behavior as a whole; When trying to make sense of the world around us, we do not simply focus on every small component. Instead, our minds tend to perceive objects as part of a greater whole and as elements of more complex systems.

Exit Slip: Describe the difference between structuralism and functionalism