What is the practice of reflecting on and reporting one's immediate sensory experiences called?

The practice of reflecting on and reporting one's immediate sensory experiences is known as introspection. This process involves examining one's own thoughts and feelings and describing them as they occur. Introspection was notably used by early psychologists, particularly in the development of experimental psychology, where subjects would be asked to report their sensory experiences and perceptions in response to stimuli. This method provided insights into the workings of the mind and helped to establish psychology as a science focused on understanding internal experiences.

Observation involves watching and noting phenomena without necessarily analyzing one's own sensory experiences. Analysis typically refers to the methodical examination of data or information, while self-reporting is a broader term that could encompass various ways individuals communicate their experiences and thoughts, rather than focusing specifically on sensory experiences alone. Introspection is distinctive because it emphasizes the subjective aspect of awareness, central to understanding human consciousness.