self-analysis
Meaning
The process of examining and thinking about your own feelings, actions, and reasons for doing things.
Structure
Usage
Her journal was a tool for deep self-analysis.
The therapy session encouraged a period of honest self-analysis.
His book is a fascinating piece of literary self-analysis.
Etymology
The compound 'self-analysis' is a modern English formation, combining two elements of ancient lineage. 'Self' originates from the Proto-Germanic selbaz, carrying the core meaning of 'one's own person' and has remained remarkably stable in its semantic function. 'Analysis' derives from the Greek 'analyein', a compound of 'ana-' (up, throughout) and 'lyein' (to loosen), which entered English via Latin, evolving from a literal sense of 'breaking something up into its parts' to its modern abstract meaning of systematic examination. The fusion of these elements in the 19th century logically creates the concept of turning the process of detailed examination inward, upon one's own psyche or motivations, reflecting a key concept in modern psychology and introspection.
Analysis
self: Old English, meaning 'one's own person'. Functions as a prefix denoting reflexive action or reference to the subject. analysis: Greek, via Latin, from 'analyein' meaning 'to unloose, break up'. Functions as the core noun denoting a detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.