Introspection

Introspection merits and limitations

1. INTROSPECTION

2. Introspection method Self examination or inspection of one’s own thoughts and feelings. It may be also called as looking within oneself to experience one’s own mental state. Closely related to human self reflection and is contrasted with external observation.

3. Introspection generally provides a privileged access to one’s own mental states ; It will not be mediated by other sources of knowledge, so that individual experience of the mind is unique.

4. The individual Introspects Observes Analyses and Reports his own feeling. Steps in Introspection

5. 1. William James emphasizing the importance of introspection as a method of collecting data. He said the “introspective observation is what we have to rely on 1 st and foremost and always”. MERITS

6. 2. This is the easiest method and readily available to the individual. Individual can at any time introspect about his mental state without involving the use of any apparatus and without incurring any expenditure.

7. 3. According to Stout, in introspection we are concerned with the nature of experience itself and with the laws of mental process. The observer in introspection is directed towards the answering of questions of importance for the advancement of our systematic knowledge of the laws and conditions of mental process.

8. 4. Introspection has its historical importance. It generated research which resulted gradually in the development of more objective methods. Introspection is still used in all experimental studies.

9. 5. It is the most economical method and one which enables us to know about the mental state of an individual, i.e. his emotions and feelings.

10. LIMITATIONS 1. Human beings are not static like inanimate objects such as stone or chairs etc. Our mental process is under constant change so, when one attempt to introspect, the state of mental process disappears and it becomes a retrospect. It is difficult to introspect perpetually changing psychological experiences.

11. 2 . This method is subjective in nature and lacks scientific objectivity. 3. There are conflicting reports, as regards the findings collected from different introspectionists. 4. This method lacks validity and reliability.

12. 5. Introspection cannot be employed on children, abnormal person and animals. 6. Introspection method demand a mature, highly trained and skilled person to introspect properly.

13. Thank you for your time