Suppose you were one of the early graduate students in the newly developed field of psychology. Your mentor is interested in discovering the answers to questions like, "Why is the ability to forget helpful?" and "How do emotions assist us in social situations?" Your mentor's approach is most consistent with the ___________ perspective.
A) behaviorist
B) functionalist
C) psychoanalytic
D) structuralist

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The functionalist perspective is focused on understanding the functions and practical purposes of mental processes and behavior. This aligns well with the mentor's interest in the usefulness of forgetting and the role of emotions in social situations. The other perspectives listed (behaviorist, psychoanalytic, and structuralist) are all more focused on underlying mechanisms or causes of behavior, rather than their practical functions.

Suppose You Were One of the Early Graduate Students in the Newly