Final answer:
Introspectionism is a method of studying the mind by looking inward to understand conscious experiences, central to structuralism but critiqued for subjectivity. It contrasts with forensic psychology and other empirical approaches that focus on observable behavior or human growth potential.
Step-by-step explanation:
Introspectionism refers to option 2) A method of studying the mind by looking inward and intuitively understanding what is going on inside one's head. This method involves the process by which an individual examines their own conscious experience in an effort to break it into its components. It was originally a key part of structuralism, a school of thought in psychology that sought to understand the structure of the mind by analyzing the mental processes of perception, thought, and feelings.
Introspection can be viewed as an empirical method for acquiring knowledge based on self-observation and reflection. It contrasts with other methods such as analyzing external behavior or using mathematical models. Although introspectionism fell out of favor due to concerns about its subjectivity, it played an important role in the history of psychology and fostered an awareness of the need for rigor in psychological methods.
Related to introspectionism is the field of forensic psychology, which involves the application of psychology to the justice system, although through more empirical methods such as observation and experimentation rather than introspection. Current psychological perspectives, like functionalism and humanism, have moved beyond introspective methods, focusing on behavior and the potential for human growth, respectively.