Internal monologue

Internal monologue, also known as “self-talk,” refers to the thoughts and discussions people have within their own minds. This inner speech generally sounds like the individual’s own voice. The internal monologue can be a one- or two-sided conversation but is conducted entirely within the individual’s mind.

This self-talk can be a simple commentary on the person’s experiences, such as, “Wow, that was song was great!” or “I should go get a glass of water.” Sometimes, however, it takes the form of criticism, mental self-scolding, or worrying. For example, a person might silently berate herself for a mistake made earlier in the day. Negative self-talk can damage a person’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth. It can also negatively affect a person’s future if the person accepts the negative “conversation” as fact. Conversely, people can use a positive internal monologue to improve their outlook and increase the likelihood that they will succeed.

Background

Scientists are unsure exactly how the internal monologue forms or works. However, most agree it begins in childhood. Babies are born without a sense of self. They see themselves as part of everyone else around them. Gradually, self-awareness develops as infants begin to realize that they are separate from their parents, siblings, and others in their lives. As children also develop the capability for language, most psychologists believe, they also begin to conduct an internal monologue.

Scientists say that children eventually become aware of the difference between what is happening within their body and what is happening outside, or internal and external stimuli. The nerve signal between the brain and the nerves that makes this distinction possible is called corollary discharge. It is believed that corollary discharge helps the body recognize the difference between what is inside and what is outside by generating a predictive signal that tells one part of the body what another part is doing. Experts say that this is why people cannot tickle themselves; the brain is aware of what the hand is doing. The brain tells the part about to be tickled that it is in complete control of the stimuli, cancelling out the tickling sensation.

Scientists think the same corollary discharge signal is at work when people are having an internal monologue versus having an actual verbal conversation. People hear the same conversation simultaneously both in their head and coming from their mouth, but the corollary discharge helps the two blend, so there is not a confusing echo. This signal may also be the reason why the voice in a person’s head tends to sound like his or her own speaking voice; the brain is predicting what the internal monologue would sound like if it was spoken aloud, so it sounds like the person’s own voice.

Research has indicated that there are tiny movements in a person’s larynx, the part of the throat where sound originates, when a person is having an internal conversation. Scientists think this is an indication that the same parts of the brain and nervous system are involved during both internal and actual conversations. Additional research has shown that at least some areas of the brain are activated by both mental and external conversations, including the part known as Broca’s area in the frontal lobe of the dominant side of a person’s brain. This area is known to control speech. Learning this was significant because it can help scientists understand how internal monologues influence actual speech and possibly help patients who develop aphasia, or the inability to speak.

Overview

An internal monologue, also known as self-talk or inner speech, is the ongoing conversation people have with themselves within their own mind. This conversation may vary between random thoughts about current experiences and significant mental analysis of a problem or situation. However, nearly everyone has these internal conversations to some degree.

Scientists are still trying to learn the biology and psychology that causes these monologues to develop and how the brain functions and speech is formed. However, they know for certain that they play an important role in mental health. The type of mental conversation in which people talk to themselves about what is going to happen next on the television show they are watching or what to have for dinner is generally neutral and poses no problems. However, many people tend to have negative internal monologues, full of critical comments directed toward themselves. Just as hearing upsetting news reports all day can depress people and put them in a sad mood, negative self-talk or internal monologues tend to create a negative mindset.

To further complicate the situation, people who are anxious and depressed tend to be more inclined toward having negative self-conversations. These internal monologues can be even harsher than those of people who are not depressed. The problem compounds their mental condition because these internal conversations tend to be treated by the mind as if they were true or as if they actually represent the thoughts and opinions of others.

For example, if someone who is already depressed or anxious makes a mistake at work, the person’s tendency is likely to pick apart every bit of the experience and make critical mental comments about everything that was wrong. Instead of seeing it as a mistake that anyone could make, this person might engage in an internal monologue such as, “I never do anything right. It is amazing I ever even got a job. I am so stupid I know they are going to fire me. What if I never get another job? I just bought that car. How am I going to pay for it when I get fired?” All this negative talk from the person’s inner critic will deepen the state of depression and anxiety and increase the odds that another mistake will be made when the same situation is encountered.

On the other hand, a person engaged in healthier self-talk might have an inner monologue such as, “I really messed up today. I should have known better. I think I will ask my coworker to show me how he does it, so I do not make the same mistake again.” This type of internal monologue is more productive and likely to result in fewer future mistakes.

Bibliography

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