Introspection is ... Introspection in psychology

Introspection is a subjective method in psychology, which is based on self-observation of consciousness. This is a kind of introspection in which we do not seek condemnation. In this introspection is different from remorse. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of introspection in psychology. It is only with its help that we manage to perceive reality as it is. This is the standard and guide for an objective analysis of human behavior.

The essence of introspection

The method of introspection, according to A. Bergson, is based on metaphysics. This is how we discover the ways of our consciousness and intuition. This method of self-observation is based on a retrospective philosophy in order to achieve a reflex liberation of the content of consciousness and the establishment of a hierarchy of sensations in the general structure of the personality. But at the same time excessive digging in the mind, that is, an excessive tendency to introspection, can cause a suspicious attitude towards the world, which is quite common in psychasthenic patients. The replacement of the real and objective world by the inner world is inherent in schizophrenics.

The Notion of Consciousness by Descartes

In the nature of man two independent and opposite principles are manifested: the body and the soul. These beginnings stem from two different substances: extended and unthinking matter and an unextended and thinking soul. In accordance with this conviction, Descartes introduced two new terms: consciousness as an expression of spiritual substance and a reflex that is responsible for controlling the action of the body.

It is in Descartes that the very concept of consciousness is first formed, which later becomes central to psychology until the end of the 19th century. However, Descartes avoided using the word "consciousness", but replaced it with the term "thinking". At the same time thinking for him is all that happens inside a person so that we perceive it as a matter of course. Consequently, thanks to Descartes, a method of introspection in psychology appeared, the concept of self-reflection of consciousness in itself.

Types of introspection

In psychology, systematic, analytical introspection, introspective psychology and phenomenological introspection are distinguished. Systematic introspection studies the stages of the thought process on the basis of a retrospective report. This method was developed at the Würzburg School. The analytical method of introspection was created in the school of E. Titchener. It is based on the desire to separate the sensory image into separate constituent elements. Phenomenological introspection is one of the directions of Gestalt psychology. This method describes mental phenomena in integrity and immediacy for naive subjects. The phenomenological method was used in the descriptive psychology of V. Dilthey, and later it was used in humanistic psychology.

Psychological method of introspection

Introspection is self-observation, the main purpose of which is to isolate, through special analysis, immediate experiences from all the connections of the external world. This method is chronologically the first in psychological science. His appearance is due to the Cartesian-Skolokov understanding of the subject matter of psychology.

The problem of introspection

Introspection in psychology is a method that is recognized not only as the main one in the study of human consciousness, but also as a practical method that allows one to analyze the direct behavior of a person. Such a belief is due to two indisputable circumstances. First of all, the ability of the processes of consciousness to open up to the subject and, at the same time, their closeness to the outside observer. The minds of different people are separated by an abyss. And no one can go over it and experience the state of consciousness of another person, since it does. It is impossible to penetrate the experiences and images of other people.

It would seem that the conclusions regarding the fact that introspection in psychology is the only possible way to analyze the state of consciousness of another person is understandable and reasoned. All reasoning on this issue can be combined in several short sentences: the subject of psychology is based on the facts of consciousness; These facts are revealed directly to the person to whom they belong and no one else; And therefore, introspection will help to study and analyze. Self-observation and nothing else.

But on the other hand, the simplicity and clarity of all these indisputable statements, as well as of the whole conclusion in general, seems elementary only at first glance. In fact, they hide one of the most intricate and complex psychological problems - the problem of introspection.

Advantages of the introspection method

The advantage of using the method of introspection in psychology is that with its help it is possible to establish a causal relationship of psychic phenomena occurring directly in the mind of a person. In addition, introspection in psychology is the definition of psychological facts that affect the behavior and condition of a person in pure form, without distortion.

Method Problems

First of all, it is worth noting that this method is not ideal because the sensations and perception of the reality of one person will be different from the sensations of the other. In addition, perception can change even in the same person over time.

Introspection is a method of monitoring not the process, but its fading track. Psychologists say that during self-observation it is not enough to determine just what moment has become transitional. The thought rushes swiftly, and before it can be concluded, it is mutating. In addition, the method of introspection is not applicable to all people, the consciousness of children and the mentally ill can not be studied with its help.

It is problematic in the use of this method in psychology that the content of not all consciousnesses can be decomposed into separate elements and presented as a single whole. In music, if you transfer the melody to a different key, all sounds change, but the melody remains the same. So, it's not the sounds that make the melody, but some special relationship between the sounds. This quality is inherent and integral structures - Gestalt.

Introspection is the presence of a conscious experience and a record of it. Thus, Wundt defined the classical application of this method from a psychological point of view. But despite the fact that, according to Wundt, direct experience influences the subject of psychology, he still shared introspection and inner perception. Internal perception is valuable in itself, but it can not be attributed to science. But for introspection, the subject must be trained. Only in this case self-observation will bring the necessary benefit.