John Locke was an influential English philosopher who studied medicine at Oxford. He wrote extensively on topics such as political philosophy, epistemology, and education. His writings helped establish modern Western philosophy. William James was an American philosopher and psychologist who was born into an intellectual family in New York City. After studying medicine, he focused on the human psyche and wrote The Principles of Psychology. Functionalists in educational psychology believe that education promotes social harmony by teaching shared heritage, culture, and responsible citizenship.

1. Significant Figures in Educational
Psychology History
John Locke & William James

2. Synopsis
• At Oxford he studied
medicine, which would play
a central role in his life. He
became a highly influential
philosopher, writing about
such topics as political
philosophy, epistemology
(the investigation of what
distinguishes justified belief
from opinion), and
education. Locke's writings
helped found modern
Western philosophy.

3. William James

4. • William James was born in New York City on
January 11, 1842, into an intellectual household;
his father was a philosopher and his brother,
Henry James, grew up to become a renowed
novelist. After medical school, James focused on
the human psyche, writing a masterwork on the
subject, entitled The Principles of Psychology. He
later became known for the literary piece The
Will to Believe and Other Essays in Popular
Philosophy, which was published in 1897. James
died on August 26, 1910, in Chocorua, New
Hampshire.

6. Pragmatism

10. Functionalism
• Functionalists adopt a consensus view of
society, that is, one based on harmony and
agreement between its members. They
emphasize the positive aspects of education,
for example, history teaches students about a
shared heritage and culture and PSHE
teaches them about responsible citizenship.

13. Research – Assingment in groups:
Identify ways in which Functionalists
would see the study of that subject
as being beneficial for both
individuals and society.
http://www.discoversociology.co.uk/
social-inequalities/Functionalism