Introspection or self-observation is an analysis of the feelings, emotions that we experience, or the causes of our various behaviors. Theoretically, anyone can do introspection, but how to do it right? Why use introspection and how can it help us solve our own problems? To answer these questions it is necessary to understand what introspection is.
Introspection is a term that comes from the Latin word introspectio, which literally means “to look inside.” In another way, this process is called self-observation. This is an independent analysis of emotions, experiences and all other feelings that have an impact on our psyche.
Self-observation in psychology arose a long time ago. One of the first people who became interested in introspection was the German philosopher and psychologist Wilhelm Wundt. Introspection began to develop rapidly at the end of the 19th century, when the foundations of modern psychology arose. Initially, introspection was considered a very promising scientific tool, but over time, this method of psychological research has been increasingly criticized. Until today, psychologists have been divided into two camps: the pros and cons. In our time, introspection has generally lost its original meaning. However, many researchers say that self-observation can be an excellent tool, useful even during psychotherapy. Who is still right, and what is self-observation in general?
What is self-observation?
The goal of introspection is to approach various areas of our psyche that we don’t even think about on a daily basis. When a person looks at his own psyche, he must take into account what emotions will prevail over him and why. For example, feeling an extreme degree of anger towards a loved one, a person can think about where such a pronounced degree of this negative feeling came from: is it a matter of simple hypersensitivity or is it really hurt by something?
During introspection, various psychological aspects can be analyzed, such as:
- feelings that torment us;
- decisions we have made or plan to make;
- our behavior and various factors that make us behave in this way, and not in a different way;
- our needs;
- relations with other people - both with relatives, and with colleagues or casual acquaintances.
In general, the goal of introspection is the need to look at yourself from the outside and carefully analyze your own psyche. All that remains is the question: "How can this be done?"
Self-observation methods
In fact, introspection can be performed anywhere and at any time, you can even observe your psyche by reading this text. The easiest way is to sit down and think about your emotions: why today I have a bad mood; whether everything will be fine in a week; which made me, instead of enjoying freedom on the weekend, sit at home all day and watch TV; why yesterday’s conversation with the girl turned into a serious quarrel, etc.
Introspection can be done in one’s own head, but not only there. You can get an idea of ​​your own psyche in different ways. For example, you can think about your emotions, feelings and impressions. You can write them on paper or keep a personal diary on the Internet. You can also (although this is considered strange) talk to yourself. Sometimes it’s easier to say some things, and only then analyze them.
Introspection - advantages and disadvantages
The concept of self-observation, like any other research method, can contain positive and negative aspects, because the psychological structure of each of us is unique, and it is impossible to give recommendations that are suitable for absolutely all people. Nevertheless, the introspection method used to monitor the human condition, reveals the most characteristic features of a particular phenomenon. Among the positive results of self-observation:
- the study of their habits, advantages and disadvantages;
- the possibility of self-improvement;
- the closeness of such a study from external observation.
As for the negative aspects of the method, the researchers call here only one thing: a tendentious approach to themselves in a wide range. This extends from the assessment “I forgive myself for my beloved” to “It is all my fault because it is bad (egotist, loser, etc.). Because of this, the process of self-observation acquires a very subjective character and sometimes only causes harm to humans.
Introspection: use in modern psychotherapy
It would be wrong to say that introspection has been completely removed from modern psychology. This method is still used in psychotherapy. Moreover, using your understanding of your psyche can bring especially good results. Thanks to introspection, the patient can analyze what causes this or that model of behavior (for example, where does his vulnerability to the emergence of conflicts in relationships come from), and then, using psychotherapy and with the help of a specialist, change his thinking and solve the problem accordingly.
It can be said that introspection is a valuable tool for every person. Usually we don’t have time to think about why something really annoys us, why we feel insecure in some situations (for example, among friends of our soulmate) or why we are in a relationship that does not satisfy us. Having spent some time looking at ourselves from the outside, you can not only understand feelings, emotions and decisions, but even change your own approach to various aspects of life and begin to live in harmony with yourself.
Introspection: criticism
In the early periods, when the term introspection had just appeared, this method was considered an extremely valuable psychological tool, thanks to which it would be possible to carefully analyze the various psychological conditions that occur in people. There were several different terms in the field of introspection research, one of the most interesting being extraspecification. The term was defined as the ability to analyze human feelings based on a person’s behavior and how he feels when he behaves in a certain way.
However, both extraspecification and introspection have received considerable criticism from the scientific community. It was emphasized that these methods are extremely subjective. After all, emotions and feelings, even if we call them the same, can be experienced by two different people in completely different ways. Scientists are convinced that this method is difficult to consider as a reliable and objective research tool in psychology.
Introspection Examples
Introspection does not have hard forms to use. This form of self-observation can be practiced in any circumstances: both independently and during psychotherapy under the supervision of a specialist. Self-observation methods can be very diverse. It could be:
- Writing a diary. In this case, the diary can be paper or electronic (for example, a blog). The author has a chance in this way to organize his thoughts and show emotions.
- Writing a letter. The letter should be sent to the person who somehow harmed the sender. It’s good to express your attitude towards the recipient’s behavior. You can send it or leave a letter for yourself.
- Fairy tale. Speaking your thoughts and feelings out loud is an effective form of introspection. The story can be directed at itself (it needs to be recorded on the recorder) or it can be shared with a person you trust.
Any problem that a person wants to project must be considered from the point of view of a causal relationship. When solving vital questions or psychological problems, you need to ask yourself only two questions: why and for what purpose.
Types of Introspection in Psychology
The history of this method has given rise to certain types of introspection, discovered by scientists from various European philosophical and psychological schools. Among them:
- Systematic type. It allows you to analyze the appearance of thoughts and feelings, in terms of time. That is, after the start of classes with specific activities.
- Analytical. It involves the analysis of emotions, decomposing them into small components and examining them from the moment of formation to the immediate manifestation.
- Phenomenological introspection. Self-observation, used in gestalt psychology, when the analysis of a person’s internal state is descriptive, without causing emotional trauma.
Petr Osipov: self-observation
One of the founders of the largest and most famous in the territory of Russia and the CIS business community "Business Youth", Peter Osipov, recently released a new book. It is called “Self-observation”. This is not just another information product on the market, based on fabricated stories and high expectations. The book is a collection of diverse techniques and skills, a number of psychological tools. The author himself introduced them into his business and became convinced of the performance of each.
Pyotr Osipov’s diary “Self-observation” will be interesting both for successful and successful entrepreneurs, and just starting their business, those who just need to have a large supply of nerves and psychic energy to go through the difficult path of becoming their company. He talks about introspection precisely from the point of view of a business manager, so here you can find a large number of articles in which literally bit by bit various situations, people, their businesses are discussed, philosophical issues of self-development and individual growth are discussed. Osipov’s “self-observation” resembles a diary, the very one that psychologists recommend keeping to those who want to apply the introspection method in practice.
conclusions
Sometimes it is not easy to control oneself, one’s emotions, weaknesses and fears in difficult circumstances. Recently, psychologists have noted quite a lot of cases when people lose themselves and cannot figure out their internal problems. But not always a specialist can get to those remote corners of the patient’s mind and soul, because only the person himself can determine what his main problem is and where it originates from. In order to accurately determine this, it is enough to listen to yourself. Self-reflection and the process of self-observation are important elements of psychological introspection.
Of course, this is not a panacea and introspection can hardly be called a way out of any difficult situation. However, one must understand that with a skillful approach, it can bring very good results, including in business. This is perfectly shown by the book of Peter Osipov "Self-observation". In addition, introspection will help to look at oneself in relationships and other important areas of life.