What was Dewey’s criticism of the analysis of behavior in terms of reflexes? What did he propose instead? What part did Dewey’s work play in the development of functionalism?
Dewey’s analysis of the behavior under the terms of the reflexes caused the argument on the division of the reflexes into the elements like motor responses, sensory processes and brain processes for the analysis purpose was proved to be misleading as well as the artificial. According to the Dewey division of the behavior in the form of the elements is more justifiable in comparison with the elemental division of the consciousness.
Dewey was greatly influenced by the principles by the James and he claimed the behavior as a stream just like consciousness. He viewed all three elements of the reflex as the coordinated system only, which is directed towards the goals. These goals were essential for the survival of an organism.
He proved that the stimuli and responses are interrelated to each other as the part of the functional events. Dewey forced that the identification of the behavior has to be done on the terms of its function. He believed that the social events are inevitable in nature. He also suggested that the positive planning also influences the social events. He discovered the concept of the progressive education in the United States.
He supported the student oriented education at the place of the subject oriented education. He also promoted the learning by doing. He greatly opposed the drill and rote memorization process for the purpose of the education. He seized the concept of the pragmatism. His reflex arc concept marks the foundation for the functionalism school under the domain of the psychology.