Final Answer:
To figure out the structure, Wundt encouraged introspection by having his subjects look at items, like a rose, then report sensations and feelings. However, introspection had problems: it was subjective, and people often couldn't accurately describe their feelings. In essence, introspection was wishy-washy. We now need something objective, measurable, and not reliant on subjective experiences. Introspection and structuralism began to fizzle out.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wilhelm Wundt, considered the father of psychology, championed introspection as a method to understand the structure of consciousness. Subjects observed items like a rose, reporting their sensations and feelings. The first problem with introspection was its subjectivity; each person's experience varied, making it difficult to establish a standardized methodology.
The second issue was that individuals often struggled to articulate what or why they felt a certain way. This lack of precision and inconsistency in reporting made introspection unreliable as a scientific tool.
In contrast, the shift towards behaviorism and later cognitive psychology sought more objective measures. The call was for methodologies that could provide quantifiable data, moving away from the wishy-washy nature of introspection. Scientists began developing experiments with measurable outcomes, emphasizing the importance of observable behaviors and objective analysis. This transition marked the decline of introspection and structuralism, giving way to more rigorous and empirically-driven approaches in psychology.