Final answer:
Grover's observational approach to understanding behaviors aligns with functionalism, a school of thought in psychology that studies the adaptive functions of mental activities and behaviors in relation to an organism's environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Grover's goal of being aware of those around him and making observations in his journal indicates his connection to the functionalist school of thought in psychology. Functionalism, heavily influenced by William James, John Dewey, and Charles Sanders Peirce, looks at psychology through the lens of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, focusing on how mental and behavioral activities help organisms adapt to their environment. It emphasizes the purpose and operation of the mind as a whole in adapting and functioning within a particular setting rather than the individual components of consciousness emphasized by structuralism.
Practitioners of functionalism employed methods beyond introspection, including the use of objective measures like recording devices and examinations of anatomy and physiology. This approach aligns with Grover's interest in understanding what contributes to people's happiness and fulfillment, examining behaviors and responses that could potentially increase an individual's adaptation and success within a community.