William James (psychologist)

William James was a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher known for founding functionalism, which studies how mental processes help us adapt to our environment. He believed the mind is active and serves practical purposes, focusing on consciousness, habits, and emotion. James emphasized that our thoughts and feelings are interconnected and that understanding our experiences can improve our well-being. His work laid the foundation for modern psychology, highlighting the importance of studying real-life behavior and mental functions to better understand human nature.