Do you have an Internal monologue? (1 Viewer)

[ericttspikes]

I recently read a study from 2011 that said only 30% of people have an internal monologue. I constantly have an internal monologue going on and just assumed everybody did too, so I can't really imagine what is going on with the 70% who supposedly don't. The study indicates others experience inner seeing or feeling. On the surface it seems perfectly reasonable that everyone makes their way through life with their brains working differently, but I feel I'm either not understanding the gist of the study, it's wrong....or maybe I'm crazy.

Not Everyone Conducts Inner Speech

Inner speech is frequent but not for everyone.

www.psychologytoday.com

KEY POINTS​

• People often make assumptions about others' inner experience, such as that others talk to themselves or see words in their heads as images.
• When it comes to inner speech, some people talk to themselves a lot, some never, and some occasionally.
• In one study, 26 percent of a random sample of 30 people talked to themselves inwardly.

 

[ProstheticRGK]

I do, but it has gotten less as I get older.

My inner voice is also very critical. If I spoke to people the way my inner voice "talks" to me, I'd be a much better fighter.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

We had a thread on this topic several years ago. The research that I've seen has always been the opposite of this -- internal monologues are actually the norm (by like a 90-10 margin), but that 10% includes millions of people who can't relate to this.

For me personally, my internal monologue is very strong. I've greatly reduced my mileage, but I used to go on 2-3 hour runs with just me and my thoughts and never had to worry about getting bored. On the other hand, those same thoughts prevent me from falling asleep if I don't have some quiet time at night, and I'm fairly confident that it's one reason why I used to abuse alcohol and now indulge in THC. I really do appreciate the radio signal in my head, and it's been very good to me over the years, but I frequently want to turn the volume down or change the channel.

 

[mr. furley]

@Otis

 

[higgins]

Original thread

 

[Otis]

@Otis

"You're the best. You're better than woz, and Schick!, and all those ****ing guys. YOU USED TO BE HANDSOME. Women loved you. You were fun, and you were in the biggest and best city in the world and taking it over. And maybe now you're a few steps slower and a few pounds heavier, but ********it, you're still the best."

 

[Otis]

I recently read a study from 2011 that said only 30% of people have an internal monologue. I constantly have an internal monologue going on and just assumed everybody did too, so I can't really imagine what is going on with the 70% who supposedly don't. The study indicates others experience inner seeing or feeling. On the surface it seems perfectly reasonable that everyone makes their way through life with their brains working differently, but I feel I'm either not understanding the gist of the study, it's wrong....or maybe I'm crazy.

Not Everyone Conducts Inner Speech

Inner speech is frequent but not for everyone.

www.psychologytoday.com

KEY POINTS​

• People often make assumptions about others' inner experience, such as that others talk to themselves or see words in their heads as images.
• When it comes to inner speech, some people talk to themselves a lot, some never, and some occasionally.
• In one study, 26 percent of a random sample of 30 people talked to themselves inwardly.

Serious answer: most of us who don't are like wicked smart, so all the processing is happening faster than us having to talk it through with oursleves.

Is this why people generally are dumb? Is this why people are such bad drivers? You are all talking to yourselves in your heads? "Should I turn left or right? Left? Ok, I'll turn left. Thanks me!"

 

[The General]

Isn’t everything posted here an internal monologue?

 

[PIK95]

The voice of my internal monolog has been Richard Pryor lately. And it's mostly me saying "look at these mofo's" while watching people do stupid things on the reg.

 

[brun]

Most of mine happens when I'm trying to fall asleep.

 

[Rand al Thor]

I can't turn it off. Ever. Alcohol brings the volume down a bit and makes the inner voice says nicer things to me, but it's never gone.

 

[Judge Smails]

All the time

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Isn’t everything posted here an internal monologue?

I just talked it over with myself and decided you are wrong.

 

[AAABatteries]

Went and read most of the other thread too - it seems to me that folks have a hard time describing exactly how it works for them. The best way I can describe it is sometimes I’m just thinking, sometimes I’ll talk to myself and sometimes things just play in my head like songs (ear worms).

The one concept in this I’m still struggling with is folks saying they “hear” their inner voice. I find it difficult to understand what people mean by that - I think some people are describing thinking as hearing and inner voice and vice versa.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I watched a podcast or video recently about this. Basically the guy described your inner voice as being your true self, your soul. It’s what makes you, YOU.

 

[Jaysus]

I watched a podcast or video recently about this. Basically the guy described your inner voice as being your true self, your soul. It’s what makes you, YOU.

Makes sense... my inner voice clearly understands, and frequently acknowledges, how much of an ******* I am.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I watched a podcast or video recently about this. Basically the guy described your inner voice as being your true self, your soul. It’s what makes you, YOU.

Makes sense... my inner voice clearly understands, and frequently acknowledges, how much of an ******* I am.

My inner voice just said to me - “You have no idea. Have they read my posts on here!?!?!? These guys all think I’m a lunatic. They’re probably right.”

 

[Alex P Keaton]

I recently read a study from 2011 that said only 30% of people have an internal monologue. I constantly have an internal monologue going on and just assumed everybody did too, so I can't really imagine what is going on with the 70% who supposedly don't. The study indicates others experience inner seeing or feeling. On the surface it seems perfectly reasonable that everyone makes their way through life with their brains working differently, but I feel I'm either not understanding the gist of the study, it's wrong....or maybe I'm crazy.

Not Everyone Conducts Inner Speech

Inner speech is frequent but not for everyone.

www.psychologytoday.com

KEY POINTS​

• People often make assumptions about others' inner experience, such as that others talk to themselves or see words in their heads as images.
• When it comes to inner speech, some people talk to themselves a lot, some never, and some occasionally.
• In one study, 26 percent of a random sample of 30 people talked to themselves inwardly.

My brain is constantly processing in the background. Sometimes that leads to me verbalizing brain material in a “colorful” way. I had a former boss — in my mid 20s — who would say “APK, that last comment is something to keep for your internal monologue.”

Mrs APK doesn’t have an internal monologue really at all. I’ll ask her “hey, what’s going through your head right now?” And her reply is quite often “nothing really.” For years I didn’t believe her. After 23 years of marriage, I fully believe her. She’s a smart person, but reflection just isn’t her thing. (And yes, I judge that often)

IK mentioned going for 1-2 hour runs solo and just thinking, never getting bored. I totally get that.

 

[Desert_Power]

Saw this come up recently too. Fascinating that people do not have this going.

 

[PIK95]

Went and read most of the other thread too - it seems to me that folks have a hard time describing exactly how it works for them. The best way I can describe it is sometimes I’m just thinking, sometimes I’ll talk to myself and sometimes things just play in my head like songs (ear worms).

The one concept in this I’m still struggling with is folks saying they “hear” their inner voice. I find it difficult to understand what people mean by that - I think some people are describing thinking as hearing and inner voice and vice versa.

I just start talking internally to myself. It's just verbalizing my thoughts silently. Occasionally it will make It's way all the way to my lips. Usually when I'm explosive mad or getting dots. I find it helps me focus and know exactly what I need to do in the moment.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

How dumb do you have to be for your brain not to be working? This answer has to be 100%.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[moleculo]

more like a dialog than a monolog.

 

[AAABatteries]

How dumb do you have to be for your brain not to be working? This answer has to be 100%.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Seems like this is the disconnect between those that do versus those that don't. Those that do think the others are morons and not thinking. Those that don't think the others are psychopaths that hear voices. I still think some of this is how folks are describing things but also because it really is hard to envision the other way.

 

[urbanhack]

This is a great book if you are interested in this subject.

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself - Kindle edition by Singer, Michael A.. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself - Kindle edition by Singer, Michael A.. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

www.amazon.com

 

[PIK95]

more like a dialog than a monolog.

Depends on the day with me...

I also just told myself it's often me talking song lyrics. I didn't realize that.

They sing "I'm in Love, What's that Song!" I'm in Love With that Song...

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Do I have an inner monologue? Freaking of course. Doesn't everyone? Why is he even asking this? What a dumb question. No not dumb, be nice to people man. Golden rule. Wasn't there another thread about this already? Why is this clown asking again? Can't anyone use the search button? I'm gonna lay into him, tell him how it is. Nah that's not cool man. Be nice. Plus don't want to get a timeout. JB might be lurking. Last time I got a timeout it was so dumb and unjust. That sucked. Does "All the time" in the pole literally mean "all the time"? I mean there is quiet time sometimes, so do I put "sometimes"? I think probably we all have the same internal monologue and people just interpret the answers differently. I'm gonna let him know his pole options are stupid. Hopefully everyone realizes that I'm using that spelling ironically when I type it out. I'm gonna tell him that like a smartass. No wait, be nice dude, not snarky. Ugh.


Hey ericttspikes, great question! Yes I have an internal monologue very regularly, thanks for asking and have a great day!

 

[mr. furley]

Most of mine happens when I'm trying to fall asleep.

what i do is concentrate on relaxing muscles starting with my face. cheeks, lips, jaw, etc. then neck, shoulders, etc. on down and i'm usually asleep before getting past shoulders.

works great for me and my mind can race at night

 

[PIK95]

Do I have an inner monologue? Freaking of course. Doesn't everyone? Why is he even asking this? What a dumb question. No not dumb, be nice to people man. Golden rule. Wasn't there another thread about this already? Why is this clown asking again? Can't anyone use the search button? I'm gonna lay into him, tell him how it is. Nah that's not cool man. Be nice. Plus don't want to get a timeout. JB might be lurking. Last time I got a timeout it was so dumb and unjust. That sucked. Does "All the time" in the pole literally mean "all the time"? I mean there is quiet time sometimes, so do I put "sometimes"? I think probably we all have the same internal monologue and people just interpret the answers differently. I'm gonna let him know his pole options are stupid. Hopefully everyone realizes that I'm using that spelling ironically when I type it out. I'm gonna tell him that like a smartass. No wait, be nice dude, not snarky. Ugh.


Hey ericttspikes, great question! Yes I have an internal monologue very regularly, thanks for asking and have a great day!

This exactly. "A-holz spelt poll wrong..."

 

[dkp993]

Internal monologue? Yes, but mostly when I want it, don’t feel “controlled” by it. (Ie doesn't keep me awake). I mostly call on it when working through an issue or problem.

Also as it relates to the other thread, I don’t see pictures in my head.

 

[Manster]

My inner monologue is often critical. I'm a classic over analyzer. My own worst enemy. I've always been jealous of people who can turn off the voices or dont have to deal with it. I've gotten better with it in middle age.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Also as it relates to the other thread, I don’t see pictures in my head.

I do sometimes. It's how I spell words. I visualise them, and then just read them off. I can also build up a picture to see how moving furniture or something will look- sort of like computer aided design. But I don't think words in my head has much to do with that.

 

[djmich]

I frankly don’t understand the concept of even making a single non-rudimentary decision without an internal monologue.

I think the population that does this is in some form is 100% and deviations from 100% can only be around definition and extent.

 

[jvdesigns2002]

I basically always have an internal monologue. I wish I could figure out how to put it on “sleep mode” every now and then. Much of the time my internal monologue is a vector to second guess myself. I feel like it sometimes makes it so that I over think things instead of just doing them.

 

[dkp993]

I frankly don’t understand the concept of even making a single non-rudimentary decision without an internal monologue.

I think the population that does this is in some form is 100% and deviations from 100% can only be around definition and extent.

This argument to me feels just like what I run into when I tell people I don’t dream. The first response is always “everyone dreams, you just must not remember it”. My response is “what’s the difference?”. If every night is pitch black for me whether I dreamed and don’t remember or dont dream at all is irrelevant. The results are the same. Same for your deviations IMO.

 

[Westerberg]

I watched a podcast or video recently about this. Basically the guy described your inner voice as being your true self, your soul. It’s what makes you, YOU.

I'd be careful with this kind of thinking. There are a lot of mental health benefits from not identifying with one's internal monologue. Internal monologues are usually biased toward criticism, problems, and threats. You are not your thoughts, you are the being having the thoughts.

 

[Zigg]

My inner monologue is a jerk. I hate that guy.

 

[PIK95]

I watched a podcast or video recently about this. Basically the guy described your inner voice as being your true self, your soul. It’s what makes you, YOU.

I'd be careful with this kind of thinking. There are a lot of mental health benefits from not identifying with one's internal monologue. Internal monologues are usually biased toward criticism, problems, and threats. You are not your thoughts, you are the being having the thoughts.

Mine tells me how great I am on the reg, so no worries.

 

[Westerberg]

I watched a podcast or video recently about this. Basically the guy described your inner voice as being your true self, your soul. It’s what makes you, YOU.

I'd be careful with this kind of thinking. There are a lot of mental health benefits from not identifying with one's internal monologue. Internal monologues are usually biased toward criticism, problems, and threats. You are not your thoughts, you are the being having the thoughts.

Mine tells me how great I am on the reg, so no worries.

That brings a different set of issues, haha.

 

[dickey moe]

So 90% of people hear voices in their heads? This explains everything.

 

[djmich]

I frankly don’t understand the concept of even making a single non-rudimentary decision without an internal monologue.

I think the population that does this is in some form is 100% and deviations from 100% can only be around definition and extent.

This argument to me feels just like what I run into when I tell people I don’t dream. The first response is always “everyone dreams, you just must not remember it”. My response is “what’s the difference?”. If every night is pitch black for me whether I dreamed and don’t remember or dont dream at all is irrelevant. The results are the same. Same for your deviations IMO.

This is fair. But what I’m saying is that I believe you when you say you don’t remember your dreams. I don’t believe that there are people that don’t speak in their heads when thinking.

So you go on a first date (I think you’re married so this can be a dream too lol). After the date you are not sure if you want to go on a second. What is the process by which a person thinks about this. Are we saying there are some people who have AI like minds and just automatically text her with an answer and an explanation without ever using words in their head to think it through?

I can’t wrap my head around that. I haven’t read this whole thread but is there someone here that thinks like this?

 

[AAABatteries]

So 90% of people hear voices in their heads? This explains everything.

I know you are joking but I’d still like more explanation from people who say they “hear” a voice. I think I know what people mean by this because I have an inner monologue but I don’t use the word “hear”.

Do you “hear” an ear worm? Do you hear your inner voice the same way you do an ear worm?

I’m assuming yes to both those and in that case I would agree with that being what happens. But it almost sounded like some descibed it like actually hearing something.

 

[bostonfred]

Some times I know what to do or I think what I think without anyone else

Some times I imagine a dialog with the person I most respect on the topic. Even if it's my grandmother or brother (RIP to both), I imagine how I would tell them about this and how they would respond. I don't know if dialog is the right word. Maybe I think about how I would explain it to them. But in my head there's nobody who would understand that Important Thing like Gram did. And when I see a thing my brother would have loved, I imagine showing him. What's interesting is that it's the best version of him I knew. There were times in his life that he wouldn't have responded well to me introducing him to Rick and Morty or some thing i think he'd have loved. He went through phases just like I did

I understand things better by imagining the debate with the person I most respect who took the opposite position. When I **** things up I imagine my most disapproving friends. Among other things, I teach for a living, and every point I make, I imagine my most critical student noticing the things I can't answer and I force myself to prepare to answer them.

Not all of those things involve hearing an actual voice. Most of them don't. But I "hear" myself repeat a phone number I'm trying to memorize and it works as well as saying it aloud. If I don't do either I usually just forget. I hear myself reading text aloud when I'm not totally engaged or reading my own comments aloud when I'm thinking through what I want to write

 

[dkp993]

I frankly don’t understand the concept of even making a single non-rudimentary decision without an internal monologue.

I think the population that does this is in some form is 100% and deviations from 100% can only be around definition and extent.

This argument to me feels just like what I run into when I tell people I don’t dream. The first response is always “everyone dreams, you just must not remember it”. My response is “what’s the difference?”. If every night is pitch black for me whether I dreamed and don’t remember or dont dream at all is irrelevant. The results are the same. Same for your deviations IMO.

This is fair. But what I’m saying is that I believe you when you say you don’t remember your dreams. I don’t believe that there are people that don’t speak in their heads when thinking.

So you go on a first date (I think you’re married so this can be a dream too lol). After the date you are not sure if you want to go on a second. What is the process by which a person thinks about this. Are we saying there are some people who have AI like minds and just automatically text her with an answer and an explanation without ever using words in their head to think it through?

I can’t wrap my head around that. I haven’t read this whole thread but is there somewhere here that thinks like this?

For sure, completely get what you’re saying, I have an inner voice so the idea of not is weird to me. But these things are hard to describe sometimes. For example, I don’t see pictures or images in my head, it‘s more of an intuitive type of thing. I can describe something, like a car for example, but there is no picture or image in my head of what I’m describing. That’s weird I know, but its the best I can do to describe what’s happening. I imagine that’s similar to people who don’t hear an inner voice.

*and for the record I didn’t say I don’t remember my dreams, others say that. I think I don’t dream.

 

[Terminalxylem]

I frankly don’t understand the concept of even making a single non-rudimentary decision without an internal monologue.

I think the population that does this is in some form is 100% and deviations from 100% can only be around definition and extent.

This argument to me feels just like what I run into when I tell people I don’t dream. The first response is always “everyone dreams, you just must not remember it”. My response is “what’s the difference?”. If every night is pitch black for me whether I dreamed and don’t remember or dont dream at all is irrelevant. The results are the same. Same for your deviations IMO.

Your point is understood, but the act of dreaming can have physiologic consequences, even if you’re not aware. I don’t know a ton about sleep physiology, but believe REM cycles (when most dreams occur) are part of restorative sleep, and important for health. Not remembering dreams doesn’t negate their existence; for you, they’re just another unconscious bodily process, like blood circulating.

 

[djmich]

I frankly don’t understand the concept of even making a single non-rudimentary decision without an internal monologue.

I think the population that does this is in some form is 100% and deviations from 100% can only be around definition and extent.

This argument to me feels just like what I run into when I tell people I don’t dream. The first response is always “everyone dreams, you just must not remember it”. My response is “what’s the difference?”. If every night is pitch black for me whether I dreamed and don’t remember or dont dream at all is irrelevant. The results are the same. Same for your deviations IMO.

This is fair. But what I’m saying is that I believe you when you say you don’t remember your dreams. I don’t believe that there are people that don’t speak in their heads when thinking.

So you go on a first date (I think you’re married so this can be a dream too lol). After the date you are not sure if you want to go on a second. What is the process by which a person thinks about this. Are we saying there are some people who have AI like minds and just automatically text her with an answer and an explanation without ever using words in their head to think it through?

I can’t wrap my head around that. I haven’t read this whole thread but is there somewhere here that thinks like this?

For sure, completely get what you’re saying, I have an inner voice so the idea of not is weird to me. But these things are hard to describe sometimes. For example, I don’t see pictures or images in my head, it‘s more of an intuitive type of thing. I can describe something, like a car for example, but there is no picture or image in my head of what I’m describing. That’s weird I know, but its the best I can do to describe what’s happening. I imagine that’s similar to people who don’t hear an inner voice.

*and for the record I didn’t say I don’t remember my dreams, others say that. I think I don’t dream.

Wow, it’s pretty crazy that the process by which people “think” can be so fundamentally different. I guess those sort of differences do manifest in practice when you get a Picasso or an Edison, brilliance in different fields and not just a function of a “great” mind but “different” also.

While we all generally have limbs and other parts that operate within a tighter range of variance, the mind can be a lot more diverse. Lucky us.

 

[dkp993]

Wow, it’s pretty crazy that the process by which people “think” can be so fundamentally different. I guess those sort of differences do manifest in practice when you get a Picasso or an Edison, brilliance in different fields and not just a function of a “great” mind but “different” also.

While we all generally have limbs and other parts that operate within a tighter range of variance, the mind can be a lot more diverse. Lucky us.

Well said.

As far along the path to knowledge we think we are, the truth is there’s more we don’t know then do.

 

[mr. furley]

"Q&A with a person who does not have an internal monologue"

Q&A with a person who does not have an internal monologue

I interviewed Kirsten Carlson, a PA Student at Francis Marion University, who is one of the few people that do not have an internal monologue. She does not h...

youtu.be

 

[Tick]

We had a thread on this topic several years ago. The research that I've seen has always been the opposite of this -- internal monologues are actually the norm (by like a 90-10 margin), but that 10% includes millions of people who can't relate to this.

For me personally, my internal monologue is very strong. I've greatly reduced my mileage, but I used to go on 2-3 hour runs with just me and my thoughts and never had to worry about getting bored. On the other hand, those same thoughts prevent me from falling asleep if I don't have some quiet time at night, and I'm fairly confident that it's one reason why I used to abuse alcohol and now indulge in THC. I really do appreciate the radio signal in my head, and it's been very good to me over the years, but I frequently want to turn the volume down or change the channel.

My dad became a ridiculous alcoholic for this reason. I'm thankful that while I used to have trouble with it at bedtime, it's pretty much gone away as I've aged.

Mine sometimes gets a skip - repeating something until it becomes nonsense. My daughter's on the spectrum and speculates that I might be as well, and this is something that makes me wonder.