20 Multiple-Choice Questions on Early Schools of Psychology: Associationism, Structuralism, and Functionalism
Test your knowledge of early schools of psychology—Associationism, Structuralism, and Functionalism—with these 20 MCQs. Each question includes answers and explanations to enhance your understanding. Perfect for students and psychology enthusiasts!
1. Which of the following is the primary focus of Associationism?
A) Conscious experience and its structure
B) The purpose of mental processes
C) The connection between ideas and experiences
D) The biological basis of behavior
Answer: C) The connection between ideas and experiences
Explanation: Associationism emphasizes how mental connections form between ideas based on past experiences, leading to learning and behavior formation.
2. Who is considered the founder of Structuralism in psychology?
A) William James
B) Edward Titchener
C) John Locke
D) John Watson
Answer: B) Edward Titchener
Explanation: Titchener, a student of Wilhelm Wundt, developed Structuralism, which aimed to analyze the structure of the mind through introspection.
3. Functionalism was primarily influenced by which theory?
A) Gestalt Psychology
B) Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
C) Psychoanalytic Theory
D) Classical Conditioning
Answer: B) Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
Explanation: Functionalism was influenced by Darwin’s ideas about adaptation, focusing on the purpose and function of mental processes in human survival.
4. Which early psychological approach relied on introspection as its main method?
A) Behaviorism
B) Functionalism
C) Structuralism
D) Associationism
Answer: C) Structuralism
Explanation: Structuralists used introspection to break down mental processes into their basic components.
5. Who among the following is associated with Associationism?
A) Aristotle
B) Wilhelm Wundt
C) Sigmund Freud
D) B.F. Skinner
Answer: A) Aristotle
Explanation: Aristotle first introduced the concept of Associationism, suggesting that ideas are connected through similarity, contrast, and contiguity.
6. Functionalism primarily seeks to understand:
A) The unconscious mind
B) The role of mental processes in adaptation
C) The structure of consciousness
D) The biological roots of behavior
Answer: B) The role of mental processes in adaptation
Explanation: Functionalism focuses on how mental processes help organisms adapt to their environments.
7. Which of the following is NOT a principle of Associationism?
A) Similarity
B) Contrast
C) Introspection
D) Contiguity
Answer: C) Introspection
Explanation: Introspection is a method used in Structuralism, while Associationism is based on principles like similarity, contrast, and contiguity.
8. The primary goal of Structuralism was to:
A) Understand the structure of the mind
B) Study behavior objectively
C) Analyze the unconscious mind
D) Develop a treatment for mental illness
Answer: A) Understand the structure of the mind
Explanation: Structuralists aimed to break down mental experiences into fundamental elements through introspection.
9. William James is best known for founding which school of thought?
A) Behaviorism
B) Functionalism
C) Psychoanalysis
D) Structuralism
Answer: B) Functionalism
Explanation: William James, often called the father of American psychology, developed Functionalism to study mental processes' adaptive purposes.
10. According to Structuralism, what is the best way to study the human mind?
A) Analyzing observable behavior
B) Examining unconscious desires
C) Conducting experiments on stimulus-response behavior
D) Using introspection to analyze conscious experience
Answer: D) Using introspection to analyze conscious experience
Explanation: Structuralists used introspection to examine mental experiences systematically.
11. Which concept is most closely related to Functionalism?
A) Adaptation
B) Conditioning
C) Cognitive Dissonance
D) Dream Analysis
Answer: A) Adaptation
Explanation: Functionalism is concerned with how mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment.
12. Who introduced the term “Associationism” in modern psychology?
A) John Locke
B) Hermann Ebbinghaus
C) Wilhelm Wundt
D) William James
Answer: A) John Locke
Explanation: John Locke expanded Aristotle’s ideas and laid the foundation for modern Associationism.
13. Which method did Functionalists primarily use in their research?
A) Introspection
B) Experimental studies
C) Naturalistic observation
D) Dream analysis
Answer: C) Naturalistic observation
Explanation: Functionalists often used naturalistic observation to study mental processes in real-life settings.
14. What did Structuralists believe about consciousness?
A) It should be studied in terms of its function
B) It is made up of basic elements that can be broken down
C) It is shaped by childhood experiences
D) It has no relevance to psychology
Answer: B) It is made up of basic elements that can be broken down
Explanation: Structuralists sought to identify and analyze the fundamental components of consciousness.
15. Which of the following schools of thought contributed to the rise of Behaviorism?
A) Functionalism
B) Structuralism
C) Psychoanalysis
D) Associationism
Answer: D) Associationism
Explanation: Associationism influenced Behaviorism by emphasizing learned connections between stimuli and responses.
16. Which early psychologist rejected Structuralism and promoted Functionalism?
A) Wilhelm Wundt
B) John Watson
C) William James
D) Sigmund Freud
Answer: C) William James
Explanation: James argued that consciousness should be studied for its adaptive functions rather than its structure.
17. The principle of “Contiguity” in Associationism suggests that ideas are linked when:
A) They occur close together in time
B) They contrast with one another
C) They are instinctive
D) They are emotionally charged
Answer: A) They occur close together in time
Explanation: The principle of contiguity states that ideas or experiences occurring together tend to be associated.
18. Structuralism was criticized for:
A) Ignoring the function of mental processes
B) Overemphasizing behavior
C) Lacking scientific rigor
D) Studying only abnormal psychology
Answer: A) Ignoring the function of mental processes
Explanation: Critics argued that Structuralism focused too much on mental components rather than their purpose.
19. Which of the following is NOT a key idea of Functionalism?
A) The mind is a stream of consciousness
B) Mental processes have adaptive functions
C) Introspection is the best method of study
D) Behavior should be studied in real-life settings
Answer: C) Introspection is the best method of study
Explanation: Unlike Structuralists, Functionalists preferred practical methods like observation and experimentation.
20. Which school of thought was most concerned with how experiences shape behavior?
A) Associationism
B) Structuralism
C) Functionalism
D) Gestalt Psychology
Answer: A) Associationism
Explanation: Associationism studies how experiences form mental connections, influencing learning and behavior.
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