Introspection

• Wundt was inspired by the work of biologists and chemists; the scientists break down structures (such as chemical formulas) and study their component parts, this is called structuralism. Wundt believed that structuralism could be applied by to the study of consciousness and that we can break down consciousness into its component parts (thoughts, feelings and images.) He called this approach 'introspection.'
• The study of the conscious thought was previously conducted as part of philosophy because he wanted to study the structures of consciousness in a controlled lab environment, using a standardised procedure. This was the emergence of psychology as a separate science.