Functionalism may refer to: *

Functionalism (architecture) In architecture, functionalism is the principle that buildings should be designed based solely on their purpose and function. This principle is a matter of confusion and controversy within the profession, particularly in regard to modern archite ...

, the principle that architects should design a building based on the purpose of that building *

Functionalism in international relations Functionalism is a theory of international relations that arose during the interwar period principally from the strong concern about the obsolescence of the state as a form of social organization. Rather than the self-interest of nation state ...

, a theory that arose during the inter-War period *

Functional linguistics Functional linguistics is an approach to the study of language characterized by taking systematically into account the speaker's and the hearer's side, and the communicative needs of the speaker and of the given language community. Linguistic fun ...

, a theoretical approach to the study of language *

Functionalism (philosophy of mind) In philosophy of mind, functionalism is the thesis that mental states (beliefs, desires, being in pain, etc.) are constituted solely by their functional role, which means, their causal relations with other mental states, sensory inputs and behavio ...

, a theory of the mind in contemporary philosophy * Functionalism versus intentionalism, a historiographical debate about the origins of the Holocaust *

Structural functionalism Structural functionalism, or simply functionalism, is "a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability". This approach looks at society through a macro-level o ...

, a theoretical tradition within sociology and anthropology *

Biological functionalism Biological functionalism is an anthropological paradigm, asserting that all social institutions, beliefs, values and practices serve to address pragmatic concerns. In many ways, the theorem derives from the longer-established structural functiona ...

, an anthropological paradigm

See also