introspektiv

Introspektiv is an adjective used to describe processes, methods, or styles that involve turning attention inward to examine one’s own mental states, thoughts, feelings, and sensations. The term stems from Latin introspectus, meaning looked at from within. In everyday use it often refers to self-reflection or inward-facing awareness, as well as to approaches in psychology, philosophy, and literature that foreground subjective experience.

In psychology and the philosophy of mind, introspection refers to the practice of observing and reporting one’s internal experiences. Historically, it played a central role in early experimental psychology, notably in Wilhelm Wundt’s laboratory work and William James’s pragmatic account of inner experience. Edward Titchener promoted a more laboratory-based version, but introspection as a methodological tool faced criticism for its subjectivity and variability. Critics argued that reports of inner states could be biased or unreliable. In contemporary psychology, introspective methods are used selectively, often alongside objective measures, and are common in domains such as metacognition, phenomenology-inspired research, and certain clinical assessments. Mindfulness and related practices are sometimes described as introspective in that they cultivate awareness of present experience, though they are not identical to traditional introspection as a research method.

In literature and culture, introspective works emphasize inner life, self-examination, and personal meaning. Introspective narration, confessional poetry, diaries, and character studies explore how individuals think and feel, often revealing motives, fears, and values that lie beneath outward action. The term thus spans scientific, philosophical, and artistic contexts, united by a focus on inward experience.