-shən ə lˌizəm, -shnəˌli- noun
( -s )
1. : a psychology in which mental or behavioral processes are viewed as adaptive responses of the whole organism : instrumental psychology
2.
a. : a philosophy of design (as in architecture) holding that form should be adapted to use, material, and structure
b. : design in which the functionalist principle dominates
3. : a theory of culture which analyzes the interrelatedness and interdependence of patterns and institutions within a cultural complex or social system and which emphasizes the interaction of these forms in the maintenance of sociocultural unity or in meeting biosocial requirements
4. : any doctrine or practice that emphasizes practical utility or functional relations
the prevailing outlook of functionalism in which a man asks of a thing only “What's it good for?”
5. : a system of functional organization or representation
6. : the theory or practice of achieving cooperation or union between governmental units by gradual integration of economic and other functions rather than immediate political federation
functionalism in contrast to federalism as a road to European unity — D.C.Stone