Introspection and How It Is Used In Psychology Research

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Introspection is a psychological process that involves looking inward to examine one’s own thoughts, emotions, judgments, and perceptions.

In psychology, introspection refers to the informal process of exploring one’s own mental and emotional states. Although, historically, the term also applies to a more formalized process that was once used as anexperimental technique. Learn more about uses for introspection, a few examples, and how to be more introspective.

Uses for Introspection

Introspection is important for several reasons. Among them are that it helps us engage in reflection, it assists with research, and it can be a valuable tool in mental health treatments involving psychotherapy.

Reflection

One way to use introspection is for reflection, which involves consciously examining our internal psychological processes. When we reflect on our thoughts,emotions, andmemoriesand examine what they mean, we are engaged in introspection.

Doing a reflective dive into our own psychology can help improve our levels of self-awareness. Being self-aware and gaining self-insight through the act of reflection is connected with higher levels ofresilienceand lower levels ofstress.In this way, introspective reflection aids in personal growth.

Research Technique

Some historians suggest that introspection is not the most accurate term to refer to the methods that Wundt utilized. They contend that introspection implies a level of armchairsoul-searching, but the methods that Wundt used were a much more highly controlled and rigid experimental technique.

In everyday use, introspection is a way of looking inward and examining one’s internal thoughts and feelings. As a research tool, however, the process was much more controlled and structured.

Psychotherapy

Introspection can also be useful inpsychotherapysessions. When both practitioners and patients have the ability to be introspective, this aids in the development of the therapeutic relationship and can even affect treatment outcomes.

Engaging in introspection-based activities has been found beneficial for certain mental health conditions. For example, when people withdepressionengaged in emotional introspection, they were able to downregulate activity in their amygdala—an area of the brain associated withemotion regulation.

RecapThe term introspection can be used to describe both an informal reflection process and a more formalized experimental approach that was used early on in psychology’s history. It’s also used in psychotherapy sessions.

Recap

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 psychology’s history. It’s also used in psychotherapy sessions.

History of Introspection in Psychology

The process that Wundt used is what set his methods apart from casual introspection. In Wundt’s lab, highly trained observers were presented with carefully controlled sensory 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 its structure or elements. 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 to give their response. The goal of this process was to make introspection as scientific as possible.

Edward Titchener, a student of Wundt’s, also utilized this technique, although he has been accused of misrepresenting many of Wundt’s 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 and asked individuals to describe their mental experiences of events.

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. Among them are:

The 6 Types of Basic Human Emotions

Drawbacks of Introspection

Introspection is not a perfect process. So, it can come with a few drawbacks.

Bias

People often give greater weight to introspection about themselves while judging others on their outward behavior. This can result in bias without recognizing that a bias exists.

Even when their introspections don’t provide useful or accurate information, people often remain confident that their interpretations are correct. This is a phenomenon known as the introspection illusion.

Cognitive biasesare 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.

Rumination

Ruminationinvolves obsessing over things or having them run through your mind over and over again. When trying to figure out the inner workings of the mind, one can end up ruminating on their “discoveries.” This can have negative impacts mentally.

For example, in a study ofadolescents with depression, researchers found that these teens tended to have maladaptive introspection with high levels of rumination, thus contributing to the worsening of their symptoms.

Subjectivity

While Wundt’s experimental techniques did a great deal to advance psychology as a more scientific discipline, the introspective method had a number of notable limitations. One is that the process is subjective, making it impossible to examine or repeat the results.

When using introspection in research, different observers often provided significantly different responses to the exact same stimuli. Even the most highly trained observers were not consistent in their responses.

Limited Use

Another problem with introspection as a research technique is its limited use. Complex subjects such as learning, personality, mental disorders, and development are difficult or even impossible to study with this technique. This technique is also difficult to use with children and impossible to use with animals.

Examples of Introspection

Sometimes, seeing examples can help increase your understanding of a particular concept or idea. Some examples of introspection in everyday life include:

How to Be Introspective

If you want to be more introspective, there are a few things you can do to assist with this.

Summary

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 Wundt’s 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.

12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cowden RG, Meyer-Weitz A.Self-reflection and self-insight predict resilience and stress in competitive tennis.Soc Behav Personal. 2016;44(7):1133-1149. doi:10.2224/sbp.2016.44.7.1133Brock AC.The History of Introspection Revisited. In: Clegg JW, editor.Self-Observation in the Social Sciences. London: Taylor & Francis; 2018:25-44. doi:10.4324/9781351296809-3Anders A.Introspection and psychotherapy.SFU Res Bull. 2019. doi:10.15135/2019.7.2.55-70Herwig U, Opialla S, Cattapan K, Wetter TC, Jäncke L, Brühl A.Emotion introspection and regulation in depression.Psychiat Res: Neuroimag. 2018;277:7-13. doi:10.1016/j.psychresns.2018.04.008Hergenhahn B.An Introduction to the History of Psychology.Pal M.Promoting mental health through self awareness among the disabled and non-disabled students at higher education level in North 24 paraganas.Int Res J Modern Eng Tech Sci. 2021;3(1):51-53.Jubraj B, Barnett NL, Grimes L, Varia S, Chater A, Auyeung V.Why we should understand the patient experience: clinical empathy and medicines otimisation.Int J Pharm Pract. 2016;24(5):367-370. doi:10.1111/ijpp.12268Zhao X.On leadership and self-awareness.Wharton Magazine.Lilienfeld SO, Basterfield C.Reflective practice in clinical psychology: Reflections from basic psychological science.Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 2020;27(4):e12352. doi:10.1111/cpsp.12352Kaiser RH, Kang MS, Lew Y, et al.Abnormal frontinsular-default network dynamics in adolescent depression and rumination: a preliminary resting-state co-activation pattern analysis.Neuropsychopharmacol. 2019;44:1604-1612. doi:10.1038/s41386-019-0399-3Eurich T.What self-awareness really is (and how to cultivate it).Harvard Business Review.Litman JA, Robinson OC, Demetre JD.Intrapersonal curiosity: Inquisitiveness about the inner self.Self Ident. 2017;16(2):231-250. doi:10.1080/15298868.2016.1255250Additional ReadingBrock, AC.The history of introspection revisited. In JW Clegg (Ed.),Self-Observation in the Social Sciences.Pronin, E & Kugler, MB.Valuing thoughts, ignoring behavior: The introspection illusion as a source of the bias blind spot.J Exper Soc Psychol. 2007; 43(4): 565-578. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2006.05.011.

12 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cowden RG, Meyer-Weitz A.Self-reflection and self-insight predict resilience and stress in competitive tennis.Soc Behav Personal. 2016;44(7):1133-1149. doi:10.2224/sbp.2016.44.7.1133Brock AC.The History of Introspection Revisited. In: Clegg JW, editor.Self-Observation in the Social Sciences. London: Taylor & Francis; 2018:25-44. doi:10.4324/9781351296809-3Anders A.Introspection and psychotherapy.SFU Res Bull. 2019. doi:10.15135/2019.7.2.55-70Herwig U, Opialla S, Cattapan K, Wetter TC, Jäncke L, Brühl A.Emotion introspection and regulation in depression.Psychiat Res: Neuroimag. 2018;277:7-13. doi:10.1016/j.psychresns.2018.04.008Hergenhahn B.An Introduction to the History of Psychology.Pal M.Promoting mental health through self awareness among the disabled and non-disabled students at higher education level in North 24 paraganas.Int Res J Modern Eng Tech Sci. 2021;3(1):51-53.Jubraj B, Barnett NL, Grimes L, Varia S, Chater A, Auyeung V.Why we should understand the patient experience: clinical empathy and medicines otimisation.Int J Pharm Pract. 2016;24(5):367-370. doi:10.1111/ijpp.12268Zhao X.On leadership and self-awareness.Wharton Magazine.Lilienfeld SO, Basterfield C.Reflective practice in clinical psychology: Reflections from basic psychological science.Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 2020;27(4):e12352. doi:10.1111/cpsp.12352Kaiser RH, Kang MS, Lew Y, et al.Abnormal frontinsular-default network dynamics in adolescent depression and rumination: a preliminary resting-state co-activation pattern analysis.Neuropsychopharmacol. 2019;44:1604-1612. doi:10.1038/s41386-019-0399-3Eurich T.What self-awareness really is (and how to cultivate it).Harvard Business Review.Litman JA, Robinson OC, Demetre JD.Intrapersonal curiosity: Inquisitiveness about the inner self.Self Ident. 2017;16(2):231-250. doi:10.1080/15298868.2016.1255250Additional ReadingBrock, AC.The history of introspection revisited. In JW Clegg (Ed.),Self-Observation in the Social Sciences.Pronin, E & Kugler, MB.Valuing thoughts, ignoring behavior: The introspection illusion as a source of the bias blind spot.J Exper Soc Psychol. 2007; 43(4): 565-578. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2006.05.011.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Cowden RG, Meyer-Weitz A.Self-reflection and self-insight predict resilience and stress in competitive tennis.Soc Behav Personal. 2016;44(7):1133-1149. doi:10.2224/sbp.2016.44.7.1133Brock AC.The History of Introspection Revisited. In: Clegg JW, editor.Self-Observation in the Social Sciences. London: Taylor & Francis; 2018:25-44. doi:10.4324/9781351296809-3Anders A.Introspection and psychotherapy.SFU Res Bull. 2019. doi:10.15135/2019.7.2.55-70Herwig U, Opialla S, Cattapan K, Wetter TC, Jäncke L, Brühl A.Emotion introspection and regulation in depression.Psychiat Res: Neuroimag. 2018;277:7-13. doi:10.1016/j.psychresns.2018.04.008Hergenhahn B.An Introduction to the History of Psychology.Pal M.Promoting mental health through self awareness among the disabled and non-disabled students at higher education level in North 24 paraganas.Int Res J Modern Eng Tech Sci. 2021;3(1):51-53.Jubraj B, Barnett NL, Grimes L, Varia S, Chater A, Auyeung V.Why we should understand the patient experience: clinical empathy and medicines otimisation.Int J Pharm Pract. 2016;24(5):367-370. doi:10.1111/ijpp.12268Zhao X.On leadership and self-awareness.Wharton Magazine.Lilienfeld SO, Basterfield C.Reflective practice in clinical psychology: Reflections from basic psychological science.Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 2020;27(4):e12352. doi:10.1111/cpsp.12352Kaiser RH, Kang MS, Lew Y, et al.Abnormal frontinsular-default network dynamics in adolescent depression and rumination: a preliminary resting-state co-activation pattern analysis.Neuropsychopharmacol. 2019;44:1604-1612. doi:10.1038/s41386-019-0399-3Eurich T.What self-awareness really is (and how to cultivate it).Harvard Business Review.Litman JA, Robinson OC, Demetre JD.Intrapersonal curiosity: Inquisitiveness about the inner self.Self Ident. 2017;16(2):231-250. doi:10.1080/15298868.2016.1255250

Cowden RG, Meyer-Weitz A.Self-reflection and self-insight predict resilience and stress in competitive tennis.Soc Behav Personal. 2016;44(7):1133-1149. doi:10.2224/sbp.2016.44.7.1133

Brock AC.The History of Introspection Revisited. In: Clegg JW, editor.Self-Observation in the Social Sciences. London: Taylor & Francis; 2018:25-44. doi:10.4324/9781351296809-3

Anders A.Introspection and psychotherapy.SFU Res Bull. 2019. doi:10.15135/2019.7.2.55-70

Herwig U, Opialla S, Cattapan K, Wetter TC, Jäncke L, Brühl A.Emotion introspection and regulation in depression.Psychiat Res: Neuroimag. 2018;277:7-13. doi:10.1016/j.psychresns.2018.04.008

Hergenhahn B.An Introduction to the History of Psychology.

Pal M.Promoting mental health through self awareness among the disabled and non-disabled students at higher education level in North 24 paraganas.Int Res J Modern Eng Tech Sci. 2021;3(1):51-53.

Jubraj B, Barnett NL, Grimes L, Varia S, Chater A, Auyeung V.Why we should understand the patient experience: clinical empathy and medicines otimisation.Int J Pharm Pract. 2016;24(5):367-370. doi:10.1111/ijpp.12268

Zhao X.On leadership and self-awareness.Wharton Magazine.

Lilienfeld SO, Basterfield C.Reflective practice in clinical psychology: Reflections from basic psychological science.Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 2020;27(4):e12352. doi:10.1111/cpsp.12352

Kaiser RH, Kang MS, Lew Y, et al.Abnormal frontinsular-default network dynamics in adolescent depression and rumination: a preliminary resting-state co-activation pattern analysis.Neuropsychopharmacol. 2019;44:1604-1612. doi:10.1038/s41386-019-0399-3

Eurich T.What self-awareness really is (and how to cultivate it).Harvard Business Review.

Litman JA, Robinson OC, Demetre JD.Intrapersonal curiosity: Inquisitiveness about the inner self.Self Ident. 2017;16(2):231-250. doi:10.1080/15298868.2016.1255250

Brock, AC.The history of introspection revisited. In JW Clegg (Ed.),Self-Observation in the Social Sciences.Pronin, E & Kugler, MB.Valuing thoughts, ignoring behavior: The introspection illusion as a source of the bias blind spot.J Exper Soc Psychol. 2007; 43(4): 565-578. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2006.05.011.

Brock, AC.The history of introspection revisited. In JW Clegg (Ed.),Self-Observation in the Social Sciences.

Pronin, E & Kugler, MB.Valuing thoughts, ignoring behavior: The introspection illusion as a source of the bias blind spot.J Exper Soc Psychol. 2007; 43(4): 565-578. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2006.05.011.

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