All About Introspection in Psychology

All About Introspection in Psychology October 03, 2019 Getty Images More in Psychology History and Biographies Psychotherapy Basics Student Resources Theories Phobias Emotions Sleep and Dreaming Introspection is a process that involves looking inward to examine ones own thoughts and emotions. The term is often used in everyday language to refer to the informal process of exploring ones inner life, but the term also applies to a more formalized process that was once used as an experimental technique in psychology. The experimental use of introspection is similar to what you might do when you analyze your own thoughts and feelings but in a much more structured and rigorous way.   What Is Introspection? The term introspection can be used to describe both an informal reflection process and a more formalized experimental approach that was used early on in psychologys history. In everyday use, introspection is a way of looking inward and examining ones internal thoughts and feelings. As a research tool, however, the process was much more controlled and structured. Introspection as reflection: The first meaning is the one that most people are probably the most familiar with, which involves informally examining our own internal thoughts and feelings. When we reflect on our thoughts, emotions, and memories and examine what they mean, we are engaged in introspection. Introspection as a research technique: The term introspection is also used to describe a research technique that was first developed by psychologist Wilhelm Wundt. Also known as experimental self-observation, Wundts technique involved training people to carefully and objectively as possible to analyze the content of their own thoughts.?? Some historians suggest that introspection is not the most accurate term to refer to the methods that Wundt utilized. Introspection implies a level of armchair soul-searching, but the methods that Wundt used were a much more highly controlled and rigid experimental technique. Who Was Wilhelm Wundt? Introspection in Wundts Psychological Research The process that Wundt used is what sets his methods apart from casual introspection. In Wundts lab, highly trained observers were  presented with carefully controlled sensory events.  These individuals were then asked to describe their mental experiences of these events. Wundt believed that the observers needed to be in a state of high attention to the stimulus and in control of the situation. The observations were also repeated numerous times.?? What was the purpose of these observations? Wundt believed that there were two key components that make up the contents of the human mind: sensations and feelings. In order to understand the mind, Wundt believed that researchers needed to do more than simply identify the structure or elements of the mind. Instead, it was essential to look at the processes and activities  that occur as people experience the world around them.?? Wundt focused on making the introspection process as structured and precise as possible. Observers were highly trained and the process itself was rigid and highly-controlled. In many instances, respondents were asked to simply respond with a yes or no. In some cases, observers pressed a telegraph key in order to give their responses. The goal of this process was to make introspection as scientific as possible. Edward Titchener, a student of Wundts, also utilized this technique although he has been accused of misrepresenting many of Wundts original ideas. While Wundt was interested in looking at the conscious experience as a whole, Titchener instead focused on breaking down mental experiences into individual components. Benefits of Introspection While introspection has fallen out of favor as a research technique, there are many potential benefits to this sort of self-reflection and self-analysis. Introspection can be a great source of personal knowledgeThe process provides knowledge that is not possible in any other wayIt can help people make connections between different experiences and responses Criticisms of Introspection While Wundts experimental techniques did a great deal to advance the cause of making psychology a more scientific discipline, the introspective method had a number of notable limitations. The use of introspection as an experimental technique was often criticized, particularly Titcheners use of the method. Schools of thought including functionalism and behaviorism believed that introspection lacked scientific reliability and objectivity. Because the process is so subjective, it is impossible to examine or repeat the results.?? A few other problems with introspection: Different observers often provided significantly different responses to the exact same stimuliEven the most highly trained observers were not consistent in their responsesThe technique is impossible to use with children or animalsIntrospection is limited in its use; complex subjects such as learning, personality, mental disorders, and development are difficult or even impossible to study with this techniqueThe very act of analyzing ones own thoughts plays a role in changing the experience Also, because observers have to first be trained by the researchers, there is always the possibility that this training introduces a bias to the results. Those engaged in introspection might be thinking or feeling things because of how they have been influenced and trained by the experimenters. Research has also shown that people are largely unaware of many of the workings of their own minds, yet are surprisingly unaware of this unawareness.?? Cognitive biases are a good example of how people are often unaware of their own thoughts and biases. Despite this, people tend to be very confident in their introspections. When evaluating the self and others, people give greater weight to introspection about themselves while judging others on their outward behavior. The problem is that even when introspections dont provide useful or accurate information, people remain confident that their interpretations are correct, a phenomenon known as the introspection illusion.?? How Cognitive Biases Influence How You Think and Act A Word From Verywell The use of introspection as a tool for looking inward is an important part of self-awareness  and is even used in psychotherapy as a way to help clients gain insight into their own feelings and behavior. While Wundts efforts contributed a great deal to the development and advancement of experimental psychology, researchers now recognize the numerous limitations and pitfalls of using introspection as an experimental technique.