Final answer:
Functionalism, founded by William James, focused on the function of mental processes and how they aid in an organism's adaptation to its environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Functionalism was founded by William James, who was a pioneering American psychologist. Contrary to the focus on the structures of the mind like its counterpart structuralism, functionalism is a theoretical framework in psychology that sought to understand the function of mental processes.
William James posited that psychology should investigate the function or purpose of consciousness and behavior in interacting with the environment.
This perspective was greatly influenced by Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, suggesting that mental activities are adaptive responses aiding in an organism's survival. Functionalism is noted for shifting the focus from the mere elements of consciousness to the utility of mental operations within an organism's life.