Final answer:
The correct option is b. William James.
Stream of consciousness is a concept closely associated with William James, the first American psychologist, who focused on mental activities as adaptive responses and used introspection along with objective measures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of stream of consciousness is intricately linked to William James, a pioneering figure in psychology and a key proponent of functionalism. Functionalism, a school of thought in psychology, emphasizes the study of mental activities and their adaptive functions in response to an organism's environment. William James, the first American psychologist, played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of psychological inquiry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In contrast to contemporaries like John Watson, a behaviorist who sidestepped the study of consciousness, James was instrumental in advancing the understanding of the conscious experience. The concept of stream of consciousness, attributed to James, refers to the continuous flow of thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the mind. It implies that consciousness is dynamic and constantly changing, resembling a flowing stream rather than a static entity.
James utilized introspection as a method for studying consciousness, allowing individuals to reflect on their thoughts and experiences. However, unlike Wilhelm Wundt, another prominent psychologist of the time who focused primarily on introspection, James adopted a more inclusive approach. He incorporated objective measures alongside introspection, embracing a broader range of methods in his psychological inquiries.
This broader view of psychology's methods and applications distinguished James from some of his contemporaries. By incorporating objective measures, he sought a more comprehensive understanding of mental processes, laying the groundwork for a more diverse and integrative approach to the study of consciousness. James's contributions to functionalism and the exploration of consciousness have left a lasting impact, influencing the trajectory of psychology as a discipline.