Introspection or self-observation is the analysis of feelings, emotions that we experience, or the reasons for our different behavior. Theoretically, anyone can conduct self-analysis, but how to do it right? Why should we use introspection, and how can it help us solve our own problems? To answer these questions, you need to understand what introspection is.
Introspection is a term that comes from the Latin word introspectio, literally translated 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 quite 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, butOver time, this method of psychological research has come under increasing criticism. Until today, psychologists are divided into two camps: “for” and “against”. In our time, introspection has generally lost its original meaning. However, many researchers say that self-observation can be a wonderful tool, useful even during psychotherapy. Who is right after all, and what is introspection anyway?
What is introspection?
The goal of introspection is to get closer to different 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 consider which emotions will prevail over him and why. For example, when feeling extreme anger towards a loved one, a person may think about where such a pronounced degree of this negative feeling came from: is it just a simple hypersensitivity or did something really hurt him?
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 the various factors that make us behave the way we do;
- our needs;
- relationships with other people - both with relatives and with colleagues or casual acquaintances.
In general, the purpose of introspection is the need to look at yourself from the outside and carefully analyze your ownpsyche. The only question left is: "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 while reading this text. The easiest way is to sit down and think about your emotions: why exactly today I am in a bad mood; will everything be fine in a week; what made me, instead of enjoying the freedom of the weekend, sit at home and watch TV all day; why yesterday's conversation with a girl turned into a serious quarrel, etc.
You can introspect in your own head, but not only there. You can gain insight into your own psyche in many ways. For example, you can think about your emotions, feelings, and impressions. You can write them down on paper or keep a personal diary on the Internet. You can also (though this is considered weird) talk to yourself. Sometimes it's easier to say things and then analyze them.
Introspection - advantages and disadvantages
The concept of self-observation, like any other research method, can contain positive and negative sides, 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 method of introspection used to control the state of a person reveals the most characteristic features of a particular phenomenon. Among the positive results of self-observation:
- studying yourhabits, advantages and disadvantages;
- opportunity for self-improvement;
- closeness of such a study from external observation.
As for the negative aspects of the method, the researchers name only one here: a biased approach to oneself in a wide range. This ranges from the assessment "I forgive myself beloved" to "It's all my fault, because I'm bad (selfish, loser, etc.)". Because of this, the process of self-observation becomes very subjective and sometimes only harms a person.
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 the understanding of your psyche can bring especially good results. Through introspection, the patient can analyze what causes a particular behavior (for example, where his vulnerability to conflict in relationships comes from), and then, with the help of psychotherapy and with the help of a specialist, change his thinking accordingly and solve the problem.
It can be said that introspection is a valuable tool for every person. We usually don't have time to think about why something really annoys us, why we feel insecure in some situations (for example, among the friends of our significant other), or why we are in relationships that do not satisfy us. Taking some time tolooking at yourself 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 days, when the term introspection first appeared, this method was considered an extremely valuable psychological tool, thanks to which it would be possible to carefully analyze the various psychological states that occur in people. There have been several different terms in the field of introspection research, one of the most interesting being extraspection. The term was defined as the ability to analyze human feelings based on a person's behavior and how they feel when they behave in a certain way.
However, both extraspection 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 be considered as a reliable and objective research tool in psychology.
Examples of introspection
Introspection has no hard and fast forms to use. This form of self-observation can be practiced under any circumstance, both on your own and during psychotherapy under the supervision of a specialist. Methods of self-observation can be very diverse. It could be:
- Writing a diary. At the same time, the diarycan be paper or electronic (for example, a blog). The author has a chance to organize his thoughts and express emotions in this way.
- Writing a letter. The letter must be directed to the person who has harmed the sender in some way. It is good to express your attitude towards the behavior of the recipient. You can send it or keep the letter for yourself.
- Fairy tale. Speaking your thoughts and feelings out loud is an effective form of introspection. The story can be self-directed (recorded) or shared with someone you trust.
Any problem that a person wants to project must be considered in terms of cause and effect. When solving life issues 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 specific activities.
- Analytical. Involves the analysis of emotions, decomposing them into small components and considering them from the moment of formation to the direct manifestation.
- Phenomenological introspection. Self-observation, used in Gest alt psychology, when the analysis of the internal state of a person is descriptive,without causing emotional trauma.
Pyotr Osipov: self-observation
One of the founders of the largest and most famous business community in Russia and the CIS, Business Youth, Petr Osipov, has recently released a new book. It's called "Introspection". This is not just another information product on the market based on fictional stories and inflated expectations. The book is a whole collection of various techniques and skills, a number of psychological tools. The author himself introduced them into his business and made sure that each one worked.
Peter Osipov's diary "Self-observation" will be of interest to both established and successful entrepreneurs, and businessmen just starting their journey, who simply need to have a large supply of nerves and mental energy in order 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 various situations, people, their businesses are literally bit by bit sorted out, philosophical issues of self-development and individual growth are discussed. Osipov's "Self-observation" resembles a diary, the one that psychologists recommend keeping for those who want to apply the method of introspection in practice.
Conclusions
Sometimes it is not easy to cope with yourself, your emotions, shortcomings and fears in difficult circumstances. Recently, psychologists have noted quite a lot of cases when people lose themselves and cannot figure it out.their internal problems. But not always a specialist can get into those remote corners of the mind and soul of the patient, 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 one can hardly call introspection a way out of any difficult situation. However, you need to understand that with a skillful approach, it can bring very good results, including in business. This is perfectly shown by Peter Osipov's book "Self-observation". In addition, introspection will help you look at yourself in relationships and other important areas of life.
