In this electric field vector detection method, an electro-optic crystal, where a (111) surface of an optical isotropic medium is cut out, is used as a terahertz wave detection element. The method includes: causing polarization of probe light of ultrashort pulsed light to be circular polarization; allowing the probe light having circular polarization to enter the terahertz wave detection element and probing the terahertz wave; modulating the probe light, having probed the terahertz wave, by a rotating analyzer and detecting the modulated probe light by a photodetector; performing lock-in detection of a detection signal from the photodetector by a lock-in detector using a frequency based on a rotational frequency of the rotating analyzer as a reference signal; and detecting an electric field vector of the terahertz wave based on a detection signal from the lock-in detector.