" (1878-1958) IV. Functionalism

Structuralism resulted in a reaction that became known as Functionalism which was influenced greatly by the work of William James and the theory of Charles Darwin. Functionalism had as its emphasis intelligence tests, aptitude tests and other such techniques and the use of controlled environments in testing learning and abilities related to problem solving. The focus of the Functionalists was explaining the mental processes more accurately and systematically. The Functionalists school of thought had as its focus the purposes of behavior and consciousness rather than on elements of consciousness itself. In regards to functionalism John B. Watson stated: "My psychological quarrel is not with the systematic and structural psychologist alone. The last fifteen years have seen the growth of what is called functional psychology. This type of psychology decries the use of elements in the static sense of the structuralists. It throws emphasis upon the biological significance of conscious processes instead of upon the analysis of conscious states into introspectively isolable elements. I have done my best to understand the difference between functional psychology and structural psychology. Instead of clarity, confusion grows upon me. The terms sensation, perception, affection, emotion, volition are used as much by the functionalist as by the structuralist." (1878-1958) Functionalism positive influenced behaviorism as well as applied psychology and additionally positively influenced...

(Wagner, 2009; paraphrased)
Summary & Conclusion

These four major developmental periods of cognitive psychology are merely four of the milestones of cognitive psychology development as indeed there are other milestones which have not been reviewed in this present work. Each of these developmental milestones has contributed to what is presently understood in the study of cognitive psychology.

Bibliography

Eysenck, Michael W. And Keane, Mark T. (2000) Cognitive Psychology: A Student's Handbook. Taylor & Francis, 2000.

Leahey, Thomas H. (1986) Wundt on Introspection: Reflection on Current Controversy. Education Resources Information Center ERIC.

Logan, G.D. (2009) Cognitive Psychology. Elservier Online available at http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/622807/description#description

Wagner, Kendra Van (2009) Structuralism and Functionalism. Psychology Online available at http://psychology.about.com/od/historyofpsychology/a/structuralism.htm

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:P5xVgso_7a4J:people.stfx.ca/pamccorm/web/220Lectures08-09/220Chap1.2.ppt+development+of+cognitive+psychology,+structuralism,+behaviorism&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=17&gl=us

Cognitive Psychology