Do you have inner monologue in your head?

Question

I have a constant inner "talking" when I think, or do thinks or debate, or choose, or whatever....almost like "hearing yourself think" you know. But a friend of mine said she doesn't...and never did...so...Do we all do it but some of us are more in tune to listening to it, or Do some people not do it? What do you think? No pun intended. ha ha

Answer 1

My initial response is "Of course I do! It's called thinking" but that may not be a universal experience. One possibility is that it is a matter of perception, we all do but only some of us think of it as talking to ourselves others just "think", sort of like moving one's lips while reading but not being aware of it. It may also be that only some people, verbal, thinking types have the constant monologue and occassionaly experience the world through feelings, whereas others may experience the world primarily through feelings with only an occasional inner comment being heard. I know that there have been times when I've been experiencing strong emotions and have found it "hard to think" this may be some people's defalt mood. Certainly I've encountered enough people who don't seem to be thinking, as if something wasn't turned on or connected and I have wondered if it was a lack of imagination (to consider possibilities) a lack of curiosity (to wonder) a lack of awareness (to notice) to even a lack of caring. Perhaps it's just the lack of an inner voice to say "hey look" and "what if", hard to imagine, what a shame! I heard an interview with an autistic women who works with animals (also an author, don't recall her name) who said she "thought differently than most, in pictures" and I thought "well doesn't everybody? how could you not?" If I think about something, say a task, I will envision it occurring, progressing, while I listen to my inner monologue, and there by explore it, discover things (like what I'll need or should be carefull of) to me thinking involves using all the resources.
So in summary; certainly some people do have an inner monologe, others don't seem to, and it could just be a matter of perception.

Answer 2

in a lot of situations an inner monologue, often times an inner communicate, fairly even as i'm conflicted about something.the inner communicate facilitates me confirm the conflicts. I have interaction in both sorts of discussion fairly in accordance with desires.

Answer 3

Well I am first reminded of Fritz Perls, a more recent Gestalt Psychologist. He says we have a top dog-under dog constantly 'doing battle' in our heads(like angel on one shoulder and devil on other..? ) But the mind has developed and changed all our lives and questions as to right vs wrong, moral vs immoral,was 'momma right when she said...'play like tapes over and over. This more so in some people than others,,,But if they start to tell yo to do 'this of that' pay closer attention and if you feel discomfort (out side of decision-making) then seek help from clergy or mental health couselors. My mind never stops but for maybe 2 hrs at night...Keep in touch .OK?

Answer 4

It sounds like that friend of yours doesn't want to sound weird or something, but I think that in order to think there has to be words, pictures or some sort of expression going on... So I would think (or hope) that most people think before they do something. We don't react on impulses all of the time. As far as "hearing yourself think" I talk to God without moving my mouth...does that count?

Answer 5

Oh yes, I do that all the time. It's essentially talking to yourself. It may or may not be a MINOR case of multiple personality disorder. It most probably is if you catch yourself referring to yourself as "we" a lot.

Answer 6

Sure I do.
BTW, Multiple Personality Disorder is generally considered to be bogus (person above me mentioned it).

Answer 7

everyone does that i would think. you usually go over "scripts" tp prepare yourself for things. nothing worng with that at all. its when its out loud there is a problem. ( : i do that too though sometimes but i laugh at myself when i catch it.

Answer 8

Look up Empathic

Answer 9

thoughts are not words. most people and me and used to the correlation.

Answer 10

I always that that everyone did.