Final answer:
The difference between structuralism and functionalism is that structuralists focus on the structure and elements of the mind, while functionalists analyze the functions and purpose of mental processes in adaptation to the environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best description of the difference between structuralism and functionalism is that structuralists are interested in what the mind is, while functionalists are interested in what the mind does. Structuralism aims to understand the structure of the mind and consciousness, focusing on the different elements of the brain and their connections. By contrast, functionalism is more concerned with the functions of mental processes and how they adapt to the environment, helping an organism to survive and function within its surroundings. This can be illustrated by comparing the functionalist view to bodily functions: just as digestion is what the stomach does, and circulation is what the heart does, thinking is what the brain does according to functionalism.
In the context of societal influences, structuralism also considers social structure, drawing on the work of Claude Lévi-Strauss who analyzed cultural symbols and their underlying structures in various aspects of culture. Functionalism, on the other hand, is tied closely to the idea of functionality within society, as conveyed by Herbert Spencer's analogy of society functioning like the organs of the body. Functionalism through the lens of structural-functional theory sees society as a structure with interrelated parts designed to meet biological and social needs.