introspective

Introspective is an adjective describing a tendency to examine one's own thoughts, feelings, and motives. It derives from Latin introspicere, meaning to look inside, formed from intra- 'inside' and specere 'to look.'

In philosophy and psychology, introspection refers to the process of looking inward to report on mental states. Historically, introspection was a central method in early experimental psychology and in the school of structuralism, used by researchers such as Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener to analyze conscious experience. The reliability of introspective reports has been debated, as they can be influenced by memory, interpretation, and demand characteristics. Over time, formal reliance on introspection declined in favor of behavioral and physiological measures, though self-report and metacognitive assessments remain common in research and clinical settings.

In literature, introspection is a narrative technique in which characters reveal inner thoughts and feelings, often through inner monologue or stream of consciousness. More broadly, the term describes individuals who engage in reflective self-examination and seek to understand their own motives and emotional life. In contemporary usage, introspection is associated with practices such as journaling, mindfulness, psychotherapy, and self-help approaches that emphasize self-understanding.

See also Self-awareness, Metacognition, Reflection, Stream of consciousness, Phenomenology.