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is the self-observation and reporting of [[conscious]] inner [[thought]]s, [[Motivation| desires]] and [[sensation]]s. It is a conscious mental and usually purposive process relying on thinking, [[reasoning]], and examining one's own thoughts, [[feeling]]s, and, in more spiritual cases, one's [[soul]]. It can also be called ''[[contemplation]]'' of one's [[self (psychology)|self]], and is contrasted with [[extrospection]], the observation of things external to one's self. Introspection may be used synonymously with [[Human self-reflection|self-reflection]] and used in a similar way.

is the self-observation and reporting of [[conscious]] inner [[thought]]s, [[Motivation| desires]] and [[sensation]]s. It is a conscious mental and usually purposive process relying on thinking, [[reasoning]], and examining one's own thoughts, [[feeling]]s, and, in more spiritual cases, one's [[soul]]. It can also be called ''[[contemplation]]'' of one's [[self (psychology)|self]], and is contrasted with [[extrospection]], the observation of things external to one's self. Introspection may be used synonymously with [[Human self-reflection|self-reflection]] and used in a similar way.

[[Behaviorist]]s claimed that introspection was unreliable and that the subject matter of scientific psychology should be strictly operationalized in an objective and measurable way. This then led psychology to focus on measurable behavior rather than consciousness or sensation.<ref>Frank C. Keil, Robert Andrew Wilson (eds) The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences p.xx</ref> [[Cognitive psychology]] accepts the use of the scientific method, but rejects introspection as a valid method of investigation for this reason. [[Herbert Simon]] and [[Allen Newell]] identified the '[[Talk aloud protocol|thinking-aloud]]' protocol, in which investigators view a subject engaged in introspection, and who speaks his thoughts aloud, thus allowing study of his introspection.

[[Behaviorist]]s claimed that introspection was unreliable and that the subject matter of scientific psychology should be strictly operationalized in an objective and measurable way. This then led psychology to focus on measurable behavior rather than consciousness or sensation. [[Cognitive psychology]] accepts the use of the scientific method, but rejects introspection as a valid method of investigation for this reason. [[Herbert Simon]] and [[Allen Newell]] identified the '[[Talk aloud protocol|thinking-aloud]]' protocol, in which investigators view a subject engaged in introspection, and who speaks his thoughts aloud, thus allowing study of his introspection.

On the other hand, introspection can be considered a valid tool for the development of scientific hypotheses and theoretical models, in particular in cognitive sciences and engineering. In practice, functional ([[goal-oriented]]) computational modeling and computer simulation design of [[meta-reasoning]] and [[metacognition]] are closely connected with the introspective experiences of researchers and engineers.

On the other hand, introspection can be considered a valid tool for the development of scientific hypotheses and theoretical models, in particular in cognitive sciences and engineering. In practice, functional ([[goal-oriented]]) computational modeling and computer simulation design of [[meta-reasoning]] and [[metacognition]] are closely connected with the introspective experiences of researchers and engineers.

Introspection was used by German physiologist [[Wilhelm Wundt]] in the [[experimental psychology]] laboratory he had founded in Leipzig in 1879.  Wundt believed that by using introspection in his experiments he would gather information into how the subjects' minds were working, thus he wanted to examine the mind into its basic elements.  Wundt did not invent this way of looking into an individual's mind through their [[experience]]s; rather, it can date to [[Socrates]]. Wundt's distinctive contribution was to take this method into the experimental arena and thus into the newly formed field of psychology.

Introspection was used by German physiologist [[Wilhelm Wundt]] in the [[experimental psychology]] laboratory he had founded in Leipzig in 1879.  Wundt believed that by using introspection in his experiments he would gather information into how the subjects' minds were working, thus he wanted to examine the mind into its basic elements.  Wundt did not invent this way of looking into an individual's mind through their [[experience]]s; rather, it can date to [[Socrates]]. Wundt's distinctive contribution was to take this method into the experimental arena and thus into the newly formed field of psychology.

===Phenomenology===

===Phenomenology===

In psychology, '''phenomenology''' is used to refer to [[subjective]] [[experience]]s or their study. The experiencing [[subject]] can be considered to be the [[person]] or [[self]], for purposes of convenience. However, it is important to note that in phenomenological [[philosophy]] (and particularly in the work of Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty) 'experience' is a considerably more complex concept than it is usually taken to be in everday use. Instead, experience (or Being, or existence itself) is an 'in-relation-to' phenomena, and it is defined by qualities of directedness, embodiment and worldliness which are evoked by the term 'Being-in-the-World'.

In psychology, '''phenomenology''' is used to refer to [[subjective]] [[experience]]s or their study. The experiencing [[subject]] can be considered to be the [[person]] or [[self]], for purposes of convenience. However, it is important to note that in phenomenological [[philosophy]] (and particularly in the work of Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty) 'experience' is a considerably more complex concept than it is usually taken to be in everday use. Instead, experience (or Being, or existence itself) is an 'in-relation-to' phenomena, and it is defined by qualities of directedness, embodiment and worldliness which are evoked by the term 'Being-in-the-World'.