1. Plural of functionalism; philosophical or theoretical approaches that explain phenomena (such as mental states, social institutions, or cultural practices) in terms of their functions or purposes rather than their internal structure or composition.
Usage: Used in philosophy of mind, psychology, sociology, and anthropology; Often contrasted with structuralism
2. Plural of functionalism; design or architectural movements emphasizing that form should follow function, with minimal ornamentation.
Usage: Common in architecture and design contexts

Examples

• Different functionalisms in psychology offer competing explanations for how the mind works.
• The architect studied various functionalisms to understand modern design principles.
• Anthropologists debate between structuralisms and functionalisms when analyzing cultural systems.
• Early functionalisms in philosophy rejected the idea that mental states depend on physical composition.
• Contemporary functionalisms in sociology examine how institutions serve society's needs.
• The museum exhibition compared functionalisms across different artistic movements.