Introspective method in Psychology: types and functioning

Since the birth of psychology as a science, a large number of different theories and techniques that claim 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, it is the introspective method.

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The introspective method: basic theory

Introspective method is understood as a procedure by which a subject focuses his attention on his own mental content and processes. In other words, in introspection the subject analyzes what is going through his mind without stimulation interfering.

This introspection is then expressed verbally, so that it is the subject himself who is reflecting and externalizing the thought, trying to be the most possible objective and without modifying or contaminating the content of 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 when this methodology would be systematized and would begin to be used in a scientific way. Through this method it is intended to find the structure and characteristics of the different layers of the mind.

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Types of classic introspection

Introspection has been a methodology that it 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.

We can mainly find two great types of introspection in classical times, the experimental and systematic or phenomenological introspection.

1. Experimental introspection

The first of these 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 by manipulating the stimulation to which the investigated subject was subjected. It seeks to capture the expression of the psyche at the very moment it arises to analyze it.

For this, in addition to the verbal record of the patient, measurements are taken of his electrophysiological records, number of errors of appreciation, 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 cognition regarding it, performing the experience as many times as necessary 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. In it, it was intended to access the psyche through the resolution of a situation and the subsequent description of the steps followed for it. In this case, a process is carried out through the memory of the processing, with what 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 regard was Ach, who divided the experience to be carried out in the steps of preparation, appearance of stimulus, search for adequate alternatives and response). The tasks employed 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, retrospective introspection being an integral part of both theory and theory. psychoanalytic and psychodynamic 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 to a moment in time something fluid that cannot be cut.

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

It would also be criticized from the behaviorism classical, which considered that 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 but subjective and biased data were not obtained.

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

Introspection today

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

And it is that from cognitivism they have been used often self-registration and self-monitoring procedures both in evaluation and in therapy, for example to evaluate the thoughts and feelings that patients say they experience. Thus, a large part of the protocols used today are largely based on the identification and perception of one's own thought, 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 hindsight introspection is especially used.

Bibliographic references:

• Alonso-Fernández, F. (1968). Foundations of current psychiatry, 1. Madrid.

• Mora, C. (2007). Introspection: Past and Present. Second Epoch (Vol, XXVI), 2. School of Psychology, U.C.V.