Structuralism is an intellectual current and methodological approach that seeks to uncover the structural patterns that underlie human culture and behavior. It is a mode of knowledge that is interested in relationships rather than individual objects or events. Structuralism has been applied in various fields, including sociology, economics, linguistics, anthropology, and literary theory.
In psychology, structuralism is a theory of consciousness that seeks to analyze the basic elements of mental experiences, such as sensations, mental images, and feelings, and how these elements combine to form more complex experiences. It was founded by Wilhelm Wundt, who used controlled methods, such as introspection, to break down consciousness to its basic elements without sacrificing any of the properties of the whole. Wundts student, Edward B. Titchener, further developed structuralism and proposed three elementary states of consciousness: sensations, images, and affections.
Structuralism has been criticized for being unhistorical and deterministic, and it has lost considerable influence in some fields. However, its influence can still be seen in various areas of study, and some of its proponents continue to influence contemporary thought.
