Functionalist theories Essay

The solvealist possibleness posits that the rescript is composed of interconnected part which function like a loving system. In a gild, there be parts that work in a homogeneous manner the serviceman personate flora as a system do of different organs. The organs of a society are the social institutions that are band up to work together to command that the society runs smoothly. Such institutions include schools and family club ups. Levin (2009, para 3) defines functionalism as the doctrine that what makes something a thought, desire, b separate (or any separate vitrine of kind state) depends non on its knowledge adequate constitution, but solely on its function. As such, functionalism theories describe the mental state as a function of behavior, stimulation of senses or other states of the headspring. For instance, it is possible to say that pain results from injury in the body olibanum symbolizing that something is not functioning as expected and therefor e the body desires to be out of the painful state. The functionalist possible action is not restricted to creatures that have a mental state and flock be relevant in silicon-based conditions. That is why the different states of mind can be said to be multiply realized.Physical states as easily as non-physical states are viewed as able to cause a specific mental state. This is why Levin (2009) finds functionalism existence similar to dualism. beneath functionalism theories, there are theories that the mental states are said to give a explanation of what our mental state descriptions mean. Other theories under functionalism provide that mental states can be characterized according to facts proved through scientific experimentations. Different social scientists have make different contributions to the functionalist theory.Aristotle is among the earliest ancestors of functionalism. Aristotle came up with the theory of the intellect where he argued that the soul of a human being cannot exist separatist of the body and thus the soul forms the instinctive part of the entire human body. The soul is therefore a combination of powers that sponsor the body to express itself. The human body as a system functions to enable survival (living) as swell up as to reason thereby acting as necessary. Aristotle therefore finds the soul as a part of the human body which cannot be separated.In addition, the soul empowers the body to know as well as distinguish stimuli with subsequent action. Hobbes (1651) is likewise recognized as one of the important contributors to functionalism. Hobbes takes a mechanistic approach of the state of mind by arguing that human argument is same to arithmetic computation with adherence to arithmetic rules. Hobbes proceeds to argue that human reasoning as a function is not restricted to human minds only and instead physical systems also possess the energy to carry out reasoning.As such, cars are able to carry out the functions that are similar to that of a reasoning mind. Levin (2009) cites that Hobbes arguments were judge in the twentieth century where social scientists realized that different physical creatures can perform the thinking function since thinking per se is controlled by functions similar to computation. denim Piaget is an influential social scientist who had a functionalist view. Piaget (1896-1980) was a encyclopaedismal psychologist who looked into the thinking in children.Piaget posited that new-made born have reflexes that are trustworthy for behavior control in other species throughout life. The reflexes in infants enable reading thus they are replaced by mixed schemes as the infant grows. Assimilation processes travel by to enable the environment match with the souls cognitive structures. On the other hand, an accommodation process involves the cognitive structures being modified to adapt changes in the environment. Piaget therefore came up with four cognitive culture stages.The se include sensorimotor stage, pre practicable stage, concrete operational configuration and formal operational phase (Huitt & Hummel, 2003). It is therefore evident that complexity of behaviors is class-conscious and so are the adaptation mechanisms. affectionate scientists have contributed significantly to current learning theory by forming the groundwork for development of schooling programs that are accommodative of human beings at all stages of life. Piagets theory for instance is the foundational theory for pre-school programs as well as programs for primary school students.In addition, the theory also provides a basis for constructivist learning (Huitt & Hummel, 2003). Aristotles and Hobbess theories are foundational to behaviorism whether logical or machine state. All these have expanded the compass of cognitive psychology. Indeed, functionalist theories will remain valuable in psychology as attest by the usefulness of the functionalist theories developed by Aristotle , Hobbes and Piaget. At the same time, the theories will remain debatable as long as social scientists continue with their endeavor to actualize human mind and behavior.Functionalist theories will also be at the center of consciousness the psychology of learning. References Huitt, W. , and Hummel, J. (2003). Piagets theory of cognitive development. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA Valdosta domain University. Retrieved 19, July 2010 from http//www. edpsycinteractive. org/topics/cogsys/piaget. html Levin, J. (2009). Functionalism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved 19, July 2010 from http//plato. stanford. edu/entries/functionalism/