CH5. STRUCTURALISM & FUNCTIONALISM IN PSYCHOLOGY

1. Which of the following is a primary focus of structuralism in psychology?

A. Understanding unconscious drives

B. Breaking down mental processes into their basic components

C. Exploring environmental influences on behaviour

D. Identifying the role of genetics in personality

Answer: B

Explanation: 

Structuralism, founded by Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener, focuses on breaking down mental processes into their most basic elements, such as sensations and perceptions.

2. Who is credited with founding the school of structuralism?

A. William James

C. Wilhelm Wundt

B. Sigmund Freud

D. John Watson

Answer: C

Explanation: 

Wilhelm Wundt is credited with founding the school of structuralism, which focused on analyzing the structure of the mind by breaking down mental processes into basic elements.

3. Which method did structuralists use to study the mind?

A. Free association

B. Introspection

C. Behavioural observation

D. Dream analysis

Answer: B

Explanation: 

Structuralists used introspection as a method to study the mind, where individuals would report their conscious experiences in response to stimuli, aiming to break down mental processes into basic components.

4. What was a major criticism of the structuralist approach to psychology?

A. It ignored the role of emotions

B. It relied too heavily on introspection

C. It dismissed the importance of learning

D. It lacked experimental rigor

Answer: B

Explanation:

A major criticism of structuralism was its heavy reliance on introspection, which was considered subjective and unreliable, leading to inconsistent results across different individuals.