Behaviorism Vs Functionalism

Functionalism is a mental state theory which state that a design of an object should be determined by its function rather than its visual considerations. This theory state that all features of a society serve a function and are necessary for survival of that society. Functionalism is abstract stage between the physical performance and behavioral output. The main suggestion of functionalism is that mental state (pain, desire, belief) are comprised by their functional role only. According to Functionalism the crucial features of a mental state is the set of casual relations it bears to environmental effect on the body, mental state and bodily behavior. Pain for example, characteristically results from bodily damage or hurt. Any state that plays …show more content…
One could argue that these theories are in conflict in terms of what defines a mental state whether internal or external functions. Different between functionalism and behaviorism is that functionalism can be traced back to history unlike behaviorism. Functionalism stresses on mental processes, it state that mind and mental processes are extremely significant in creating an impact on human behavior. Behaviorism is a new concept which emerged with an objective of highlighting the importance of the external behavior of human being. Behaviorism stress on human behavior, it rejects the idea of functionalism and it intend on defining features of mental state exclusively in terms of environmental input and behavioral output. Functionalism denies this position as they say it is imposable and state that a sufficient description of a mental state involves an in eliminable reference to variety of other mental states which is casually connected and solely defined in terms of publicly observable inputs and outputs is …show more content…
It has proven to be the best theory to define what entails the mental state. It has also succeeded in solving the problems of behaviorism face. The problem of ignorance and denial of existence of the inner aspect, functionalism has shown that mind is an internal state that courses behavior. For one to react to events around them they require an inner mind. Unlike behaviorism, functionalism contains both multiple realization and mental causes. Behaviorism fails to explain how people can have the same experience and react differently. Functionalism has attempted to solve this problem by looking into mental processes of these people and refer back to their life experience and bring up. It has also questioned the problem of ‘specifying disposition which constitutes behavior’. Behaviorism is incorrect in stating that a person can fulfill their desire as long as have a desire. Functional theory stands out of the two because it is able to explain the area of physical facts as being mental closed and that mental states are realized in material