Although functionalist sociology and behaviourist psychology employ quite different methods and techniques, they clearly share some common features. Both, for example, adhere to the view that educational theories must conform to scientific standards and criteria. Both assume that the purpose of educational research is, as in the natural sciences, to discover knowledge of law-like regularities which can be applied to educational practice in order to improve its efficiency. Finally, both see educational theory as being, in comparison with physics and chemistry, an immature science standing in need of development and sophistication.