Introspection

Question 1

Who developed introspection?

Answer 1

Wilhelm Wundt

Question 2

What is introspection?

Answer 2

Introspection (from the Latin meaning ‘looking into’) is a method to scientifically study conscious mental states.

Question 3

What does the method of introspection involve?

Answer 3

The method involves participants analysing their own conscious experiences, such as thoughts and sensations, and breaking these down into their component parts to determine their structure.

Question 4

What does the method of introspection require?

Answer 4

The method requires training participants to perform self-observation of the data in an objective way and often involved standardised conditions, such as presenting all participants with the same stimulus (e.g. a ticking metronome).

Question 5

What is the ultimate goal of introspection?

Answer 5

The ultimate goal of introspection was to develop generalisable laws about how people think and feel.