introspection
in-truh-SPEK-shuhn
/ˌɪn.trəˈspek.ʃən/
The examination or observation of one's own conscious mental and emotional processes.
Implies deliberate, conscious self-reflection upon one's own inner thoughts and motives.
The story behind the word. Formed from Latin 'intro-' (inward, inside) and 'specere' (to look at or inspect). Introspection is literally looking inside your own mental machinery.
Word relationships
- self-reflection: 'Self-reflection' can be casual thoughts about conduct, whereas 'introspection' often suggests systematic scrutiny of consciousness.
- extrospection: The observation of external objects and events outside oneself.
Commonly confused with
- retrospection: Retrospection looks back specifically at past events; introspection examines current inner mental processes.
Word family
- introspective (adjective): Given to or characterized by introspection.
- introspect (verb): To examine one's own thoughts or feelings.
Collocations
- deep introspection
- quiet introspection
- capacity for introspection
- method of introspection
Idioms & expressions
- look inward
Example sentences
- "Early laboratory psychologists relied heavily on introspection to map the basic elements of human thought." Psychology
- "After years of frantic activity, he spent a quiet period in deep introspection regarding his career goals." Literature
Memory hook
INTRO-SPECT: Using mental SPECtacles to look INTRO (inside) your own mind. Looking inward at your thoughts.
When not to use
Avoid using for casual memory retrieval; it implies analytical examination of present or past mental states.
Fun facts
- Wilhelm Wundt, founder of the first experimental psychology lab in 1879, trained researchers in 'experimental introspection' using metronomes and light flashes.
Related words
Explore more words
introspective, contemplative, deliberate, self-reproach, soliloquy, reticent
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