Where the structuralists asked what happens when an organism does something,the functionalists asked how and why an organism does something.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement accurately reflects the difference between the focus of structuralism and functionalism in psychology. Structuralism sought to break down mental processes into their elemental components and examine them, while functionalism looked at how these processes worked together to enable an organism to adapt to its environment.

Where the Structuralists Asked What Happens When an Organism Does