Chapter 1.2 - Problem from The Science of Psychology An Appreciative View (4th Edition) PDF

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Problem Answers from the book The Science of Psychology An Appreciative View (4th Edition)....

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The Science of Psychology: An Appreciative View (4th Edition) King L.

PROBLEM 1 TY What is structuralism? How does functionalism contrast with structuralism?

ANSWER Step 1 of 2 Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) a Germen philosopher and physician integrated some parts of philosophy and natural sciences creating the academic discipline of psychology. He concentrated on the discovering the basic elements or structures of metal processes. This approach was known as structuralism because it was focusing on identification of structures of human mind. The method of study is known as introspection means looking inside of own mind. Wundt is regarded as founder and the father of modern psychology

Step 2 of 2 William James (1842-1910) was a psychologist and philosopher with perspective of key question for psychology what mind is and what it is for. This view relating to the function of mind was eventually named as functionalism. Structuralism emphasized on components of mind and functionalism probed the functions of the mind. The purposes of the mind and behavior in adapting the environment were analyzed by functionalism. Structuralists look inside the mind searching for the structures. And functionalists focus the human interactions in outside world and the purpose of thoughts.

PROBLEM 2 TY What is meant when we say that a particular characteristic of an organism is adaptive?

ANSWER Step 1 of 3 In functionalism the core question is about how human thought is adapted. The characteristic is said to be adaptive when it enables an organism to survive better. Therefore, the functionalism fits well with the theory of evolution through natural selection proposed by Charles Darwin. Step 2 of 3 Darwin wrote a book called "The Origin of Species" with the central idea emphasizing on the principle of natural selection in an evolutionary process. This principle enables the organisms to best adapted to their environment, survive and produce offspring. The biological features helped in survival and reproduction would be represented in the subsequent generations.

Step 3 of 3 Over several generations the organisms with these specific characteristics compressed to a large percentage of population. The characteristics are passed over generations because they are recorded in genes, the molecules responsible for heredity. These genetic characteristics are associated with survival and reproduction of organism.

Curiosity involves posing questions and imagination about the things. It is a different aspect and simple answers and assumptions do not work till the exact fact is known.

PROBLEM 3 TY In what ways is Darwin's work relevant to psychology?

ANSWER Step 1 of 2 Darwin's theory of evolution is relevant to psychology and influences the psychologists. The theory is strongly supported by observation and the psychology is based on observations. Psychological inquiry is the feature that critically applicable to the principles of Darwin theory of evolution. Step 2 of 2 For example, bacteria compete for food particles in left over vessels in the kitchen. The antibacterial cleanser plays a role of natural selection because the cleaning agents effectively kill the bacteria. However, the bacteria are genetically adapted to survive the cleanser over the time. Similarly the psychologists also observe the adaptive nature of human characteristics that are branched out to enable the study about more aspects of human behavior....