Introspective Method in Psychology: Types and Operation

Since the birth of psychology as a science, a large number of different theories and techniques that aim to account for the analysis and study of the human psyche. Different theories have focused on different aspects and methods from which to work, such as working on unconscious aspects or directly observable behavior.

One of the various methods developed throughout history, and in fact the one proposed and used by the considered father of scientific psychology Wilhelm Wundt, is the introspective method.

The introspective method: basic theory

The introspective method is understood to be a procedure through which a subject focuses his attention on his own mental contents and processes. In other words, in introspection the subject analyzes what is going on in his mind without stimulation interfering.

This introspection is then expressed verbally so that it is the subject himself who reflects and externalizes the thought, trying to be as objective as possible and without modifying or contaminating the content of the thought with explanations or speculations about it.

The introspective method is one of the first methods used in the study of the psyche. Although similar approaches can be found in classical philosophy, it would not be until Wundt that this methodology would be systematized and begin to be used in a scientific way. Through this method we aim to find the structure and characteristics of the different strata of the mind.

Types of classical introspection

Introspection has been a methodology that was developed throughout the beginnings of the history of Psychology and that, after being partially abandoned (despite having a certain presence in the different theoretical currents), it would be recovered in contemporary times.

Mainly we can find two great types of introspection in the classical era experimental introspection and systematic or phenomenological introspection.

1. Experimental introspection

The first of them and typical of Wundt and his disciples is experimental introspection, which It is proposed to focus on mental processes in an objective and scientific way through the manipulation of the stimulation to which the investigated subject was subjected. The aim is to capture the expression of the psyche at the very moment it arises to analyze it.

To do this, in addition to the patient’s verbal recording, measurements are taken of their electrophysiological records, number of judgment errors, muscle tension or heart rate. Through these measurements and information it is possible to investigate the presence and functioning of attention, will or emotion, although not more complex elements.

The subject was trained to distinguish what was experienced from the cognition regarding it, performing the experience as many times as needed and being able to graduate the stimulation received and reporting the sensations immediately so that they are not contaminated with thoughts and cognitions.

2. Systematic introspection

Another subtype of introspection is the so-called systematic introspection, which It would be used by the so-called Würzburg school. It sought to access the psyche through the resolution of a situation and the subsequent description of the steps followed to do so. In this case, a process is carried out through the memory of the processing, which is called retrospective introspection. One of the figures linked to the emergence of this variety of introspection is Brentano, a figure critical of Wundt’s methodological proposal.

One of the authors who stands out in this sense was Ach, who divided the experience to be carried out into the steps of preparation, appearance of stimulus, search for suitable alternatives and response). The tasks used tended to be more complex and intellectual than those used in experimental introspection.

This type of introspection would later be applied in theoretical currents such as psychodynamics, with retrospective introspection being an integral part of both psychoanalytic and psychodynamic theory and practice. They have also served as inspiration for the Gestalt school.

Criticisms of the introspective method

The introspective method was widely criticized at the time. One of the biggest critics in this regard was Franz Brentano who considered that the experimental introspection proposed by Wundt sought to reduce something fluid that cannot be cut to a temporal moment.

The psyche cannot be observed at the same moment from the psyche itself, since said observation is already modifying the given response. In addition to that, the mind continues to function at all times so limiting its operation to a single experimental moment is not possible.

It would also be criticized from classical behaviorism, which considered that It only allowed speculation and that it could not be considered scientific since it does not allow experimental replication, as well as the fact that objective data was not obtained but subjective and biased data.

Another criticism of introspection is based on the difficulty of replicating the same results by different experimenters. Also the fact that part of the cognitive phenomena studied ended up being automated, so that the processes carried out ended up becoming alien to consciousness.

Introspection today

Although introspection is not used in practice as a method in itself, we can find a great influence of it in the professional practice of psychology.

And since cognitivism they have often used self-registration and self-monitoring procedures both in evaluation and in therapy, for example to evaluate the thoughts and sensations that patients say they experience. Thus, a large part of the protocols used today are based largely on the identification and perception of one’s own thinking, which is achieved through the practice of introspection.

Likewise, psychoanalysis and the different psychodynamic schools have also been included by introspection, as can be seen in the application of methods such as word association. In this sense retrospective introspection is especially used.