Final answer:
Structuralism is the analysis of the basic elements that make up the mind, looking into its structure rather than its functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Structuralism is the analysis of the basic elements that constitute the mind. This approach proposes that each mental event can be understood in terms of the various arrangements and operations of parts of the brain. In contrast to functionalism, which focuses on the functions of the mind and how mental activities serve to adapt to the environment, structuralism is more concerned with breaking down mental processes into their most basic components.
While Functionalism equates the mind to a collection of brain functions suggesting that 'mind' is what the brain does, Structuralism relates the mind to the structure and organization of the brain itself. Additionally, structuralism in psychology often intersects with Freud's theory of psychoanalysis which seeks to understand the structure of the mind by examining suppressed elements of the unconscious mind.
Several alternative theories regarding the mind-body relationship exist, such as interactionism, epiphenomenalism, and dualism, each providing a different perspective on whether and how the mind and body interact. However, in the context of the initial question, these perspectives are secondary to the fundamental description provided by Structuralism.