Final answer:
The functionalist perspective describes pain as an adaptive and necessary response that alerts us of an injury and motivates us to protect ourselves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The functionalist perspective describes pain as an adaptive and necessary response that serves to alert us of an injury and motivate us to remove ourselves from the cause of that injury. It emphasizes the physiological and psychological components of pain perception and how they work together for our well-being.
For example, when we experience pain, not only are we made aware of the injury, but we are also more cautious and gentle with the injured body part, reducing the likelihood of further damage.