1. Structuralism: Titchener's structuralism asserts that the mind can be understood by breaking it down into its most fundamental components, or mental structures. He believed that consciousness could be analyzed by carefully observing and introspecting on one's own mental experiences.
2. Method of Introspection: Titchener emphasized the use of introspection as the primary method for studying mental processes. He argued that trained observers could systematically analyze and report on their conscious thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
3. Elements of Consciousness: Through introspection, Titchener identified three basic elements of consciousness: sensations, images, and affections. He believed that all complex mental experiences could be reduced to combinations of these elements.
4. Attention and Perception: Titchener conducted extensive studies on attention and perception. He argued that attention is a selective process that allows us to focus on specific aspects of our environment. He also proposed that perception is a result of the interaction between sensory information and mental processes such as association and apperception.
5. Experimental Psychology: Titchener believed that psychology should be an experimental science, focusing on objectively studying and measuring mental processes. He established the first experimental psychology laboratory in the United States at Cornell University.
6. Empiricism and Reductionism: Titchener was a strong proponent of empiricism, emphasizing the importance of basing scientific knowledge on observable data. He also advocated for reductionism, attempting to explain complex phenomena by reducing them to simpler components.
7. Quantitative Measurement: Titchener emphasized the use of quantitative methods to measure mental processes. He developed techniques for measuring reaction times, sensory thresholds, and other psychological variables.
Titchener's theories helped shape early psychology, but structuralism eventually declined in popularity as more dynamic and comprehensive approaches to psychology emerged. Nevertheless, his emphasis on introspection, experimental methods, and the study of consciousness paved the way for further advancements in the field of psychology.