Selfexamination
Self-examination is the act of scrutinizing one's own thoughts, feelings, motives, behaviors, and experiences to gain self-knowledge and guide decision making. It is used across disciplines—from philosophy and psychology to religion and medicine—as a means of increasing self-awareness, moral responsibility, and adaptive behavior.
In psychology and personal development, self-examination involves reflective practices such as journaling, mindfulness, and structured inquiry
In medical contexts, self-examination refers to patient-performed checks for signs of disease or illness, such as
Historically, self-examination has roots in contemplative and intellectual traditions, including religious practices like the examen, which
Benefits include greater self-understanding, improved emotion regulation, and more informed choices. Limitations include bias, defensiveness, overgeneralization,
In practice, approaches vary by context, but common guidance emphasizes setting intention, maintaining a nonjudgmental stance,