Pragmatism, Functionalism, And William James’s Psychology

Psychology as a study has been officially recognized for about 100 to 150 years. However, a few areas led the way to the development of psychology as a field of study, including philosophy, cognitive studies, and medical science. One philosopher that contributed to the birth of psychology was William James. Understanding the theories William James contributed may allow you to further understand modern practices. 

William James’s Principles Of Psychology

Who Was William James? 

Born in 1842, William James was an American psychologist and philosopher, now sometimes referred to as the "Father of American psychology." James wrote and published extensively and was the first to offer a course in psychology in the United States. As a leading thinker during the latter half of the 19th century, he developed influential theories in psychology and philosophy.

James's intellectual pursuits were diverse, and he relied heavily on his personal experiences when developing his theories. With an approach to psychology based on his pragmatic philosophy, he produced a body of work that may still be viable to many. James culled his information from many sources and schools of thought, carefully choosing only information he believed to be helpful.

Pragmatism and functionalism are two philosophies William James used to further his understanding of the world around him. James posited the pragmatic theory of truth and used this philosophy to define and redefine ideas, filtering answers to his questions about the mind. Most of his findings, theories, and inquiries were viewed according to his pragmatic theory of truth.

William James ventured into various philosophical and psychological areas during his prolific career. Although he was trained and certified as a medical doctor, James found that his genuine interest was in the workings of the mind. He began his professional life with a doctorate in physical medicine, after which he studied psychology and philosophy with the best and brightest minds of his day.

To James, the truth was subjective, and he delved into all mental pursuits with an open mind. He was a part of the Theosophical Society and one of the founders of the American Society for Psychical Research. From spiritualism to pragmatic philosophy and the functionalist school of psychology, William James contributed prolifically to the field of psychology; he was eventually named the 14th most eminent psychologist of the 20th century.

William James's Principles Of Psychology

In 1890, James published a book called The Principles of Psychology. This work took 12 years to write, and the resulting text consisted of two volumes. During the last half of the 19th century, psychology began gaining moral ground in the United States, and William's book helped strengthen its hold.

Four main concepts were put forth by James in this book, including stream of consciousness, emotion, habit, and will. Along with these four main concepts, James discussed various theories and hypotheses about centers in the brain receiving specific input from the physical senses. The concept of instinct was also covered comparatively, and the evolution of brain function, particularly the cerebrum, was analyzed. 

In The Principles of Psychology, James covered his experience with illusions, both visual and auditory. The illusion is explained as a physiological response. According to James, pathways in the brain are formed through repeated behaviors and use, which leads to illusion when similar stimuli occur and are guided through the same pathways. James believed that the mind could become accustomed to recognizing repeated stimuli, allowing it to make an assumption, which was a form of illusion.

The four main concepts—habit, stream of consciousness, emotion, and will—comprise the bulk of the work. Each of these concepts is complete with explanations and, in some cases, empirical knowledge from James himself. These four concepts may not be used in modern psychology but provide a basis for further research. They include the following. 

Stream Of Consciousness 

The metaphor "stream of consciousness" was coined by James to provide a shift in how psychologists of the time saw the mind. To him, there was no "chain" of consciousness strung together like the links of a chain. It was instead a "stream," flowing and moving forward. To James, consciousness was continuous, and humans couldn't experience the same idea or thought more than once.

Emotion 

William James founded a new theory of emotion called the James-Lange theory. Until this theory was developed, the prevailing theory stated that emotion would incite a physical response. For example, psychologists believed that crying was a physical response to an emotion. William's theory stated that emotion could also be the reaction and result of bodily experience, not a reaction to stimuli that incite the bodily experience. According to James, when a stimulus incites a physical response, the physical response incites an emotion. Many people disagree with this theory. 

Habit 

At the time that William studied, it was believed that habits were formed in response to a desire, a want, or a need. Habits focus the mind on achieving the desire, want, or need. James observed and added that habits are not necessarily unhealthy. He found that certain habits could be healthy and allow people to harness the power of their minds to focus and achieve goals. 

Will 

The argument for the validity of free will is still debatable today. In the past, many psychologists believed that free will did not exist as social, political, and religious societal structures were in place to control it. James relied on his personal experiences to express his understanding of free will. To him, free will was the ability to "attend to a difficult object and hold it fast before the mind." His answer to the existence of free will was the ability to hold on to principles in the face of opposition and lack of support.

The Principles of Psychology was a comprehensive work covering the entire field of psychology as it was understood up until publication. Many individuals working in psychology today still find many concepts and theories in William's book informative and interesting. Modern psychology has had many developments since 1890, but James's contributions are often respected and discussed in current practice. 

Pragmatism And Functionalism

To William James, pragmatism was a philosophy of truth. James was a pragmatist who tried to understand what "truth" meant through that lens. Pragmatism deals with the practical. William James believed that only practical aspects of life that are beneficial and healthy are worthwhile. Pragmatism, as a philosophy of truth, was something James believed in strongly. To him, the truth was arbitrary and depended on belief.

Pragmatism was the approach James took whenever he was validating a theory, whether his own or somebody else's. As a philosophical movement, the pragmatist movement was one James fell in with early in his career. He was a pragmatist at heart and tended to scrutinize all the experience and information he accumulated, searching for logical answers to his inquiries.

William James also founded the school of functionalism. This school of thought in psychology was developed in direct response to the school of structuralism and the work of Wilhelm Wundt. Wundt criticized functionalism as nothing more than literature, and James criticized structuralism as "all school and no thought." When the criticisms faded, functionalism influenced the major schools of thought still in use today, such as cognitive and behavioral theories. 

James was influenced by his early physiology education and the work of Charles Darwin. Functionalism focused on the human propensity for individualism, which heavily influenced how education was structured. Functionalism was built around a more systematic approach to understanding mental processes and involved a search for consciousness and behavior.

William James's Contributions To Psychology

William James made several significant contributions to psychology. As the first person to offer a course in psychology in the United States, he was one of the psychologists to validate the science of psychology alongside physical sciences. His work moved between philosophy and psychology, and he left his mark on both. As a philosopher, he had a firm belief in pragmatism that helped him forge his path in psychology, and as a psychologist, he founded the school of functionalism.

During his long career, James published essays in addition to his compendium on psychology, The Principles of Psychology. His essays on theory in philosophy and psychology forged a spot for the science of psychology in the United States. The book provided more than a compendium of scholarly knowledge for intellectuals; it provided a text for teaching and learning.

Although different from his time, modern psychology has allowed psychologists and philosophers to publish theories online. With all the technological advancements, historical figures like William James are often viable sources of insight and information. His contributions to psychology helped lay the foundations on which psychology stands in the 21st century and may continue to for years. 

Counseling Options 

In the 21st century, many people can read William James's works online. In addition, other forms of psychology can be accessed online, such as online therapy or telehealth appointments. A growing body of research points to the effectiveness of internet-based therapy compared to traditional face-to-face therapy. 

One study examined the benefits of online therapy when treating symptoms of various mental health conditions, including panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and depression. The researchers outlined the diverse ways treatment can be administered through online therapy platforms, including therapist guidance over email, lesson plans, interactive exercises, informational articles, and audio or video calls. The study concluded that internet-based therapy is efficient and cost-effective and may remain a viable alternative to traditional counseling.

If you're interested in seeing how modern psychological theories function in practice, you might consider signing up for an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, which offers access to a growing network of licensed providers. In addition, you can change your therapist at any time if needed, allowing you unique control over your care.