How does functionalism view behavior?

Functionalism views behavior as purposeful because it emphasizes the role that behaviors play in adapting to the environment and contributing to an organism's survival. This perspective suggests that various behaviors have evolved because they serve specific functions that enhance an individual’s ability to thrive and reproduce in their particular surroundings. By understanding behavior this way, functionalists focus on the practical implications and usefulness of actions, connecting them to the needs of the individual in a societal context.

In contrast, other approaches to understanding behavior focus on different factors. The psychodynamic perspective, for instance, views behavior as a result of unconscious impulses, while behaviorism focuses on learned associations as the main drivers of behavior. Personal experiences can certainly shape individual behavior, but they do not encompass the broader, survival-oriented focus that functionalism emphasizes.