Structuralism Mental Introspection Consciousness Sought Reduce Mind Basic

• Structuralism sought to reduce the mind to its most basic elements.  To do so, used observation and description of mental processes (Wundt’s techniques).  It proposed that everything is reducible to sensations, images, and feelings – complex mental states are combinations of these.

• Criticisms of introspection: possible distortion due to retrospective nature, introspection as a conscious process must interfere with consciousness that is being observed (like taking pictures under water), results of introspection seems remote from consciousness as it is experienced.