an early branch of psychology, takes influence from Darwin, founder: William James.

functionalism was a school of psychology that focused on understanding how mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment. It emphasized the practical functions of behavior and mental processes in achieving goals and survival. Functionalism was concerned with the role of consciousness in guiding behavior and problem-solving.

In philosophy, there are two main types of functionalism: psychological functionalism, which focuses on the mind and mental states as functions that can be understood through their role in cognitive processes; and biological functionalism, which examines the functions of biological systems and processes in living organisms. Both types emphasize the importance of understanding how systems work rather than their physical properties.

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Functionalism focused on the function or purpose of behavior and mental processes rather than the structure. It emphasized studying how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environments. This perspective was influential in shaping the field of psychology and providing a different approach from structuralism.