Question

Why did William James have problems with Wundt's theory of structuralism?

A. Lack of empirical evidence
B. Overemphasis on introspection
C. Cultural bias
D. Lack of psychological principles

Answer 1

William James had problems with Wundt's theory of structuralism due to overemphasis on introspection, lack of empirical evidence, and lack of psychological principles.

Step-by-step explanation:

William James had problems with Wundt's theory of structuralism due to several reasons.

1. Overemphasis on introspection: James believed that relying solely on introspection as a research method limited the understanding of the mind and neglected the importance of objective measures.
2. Lack of empirical evidence: James criticized Wundt's theory for lacking empirical evidence to support its claims, making it less scientifically rigorous.
3. Lack of psychological principles: James argued that Wundt's focus on the contents of mental processes (structuralism) neglected the study of how mental activities served as adaptive responses to the environment, which James believed was essential to understanding psychology (functionalism).