Which of the following was a disadvantage of introspection as used in early schools of thought in psychology?

• A. It provided consistent and reliable data across different individuals.
• B. It eliminated the need for trained observers in psychological research.
• C. It relied heavily on subjective reports that could not be objectively verified.
• D. It was effective in studying unconscious mental processes.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that introspection in early psychology involved individuals examining and reporting their own conscious experiences.
2. Recognize that a key limitation of introspection was its reliance on subjective reports, meaning the data depended on personal feelings and thoughts that varied between individuals.
3. Note that because these reports were subjective, they could not be objectively verified or consistently replicated by other researchers.
4. Contrast this with the idea of consistent and reliable data, which introspection failed to provide due to individual differences in reporting.
5. Conclude that the main disadvantage of introspection was its lack of objectivity and reliability, making it less effective for scientific study compared to other methods.