Internal Monologue

[Vassago]

I recently read an interesting article that made the proclamation that not everyone has an internal monologue. Meaning, the ability to have conversations in their heads and with themselves. I found that fascinating. It's something I do to a nth degree to the point where I can't sleep at night many nights.

Today I Learned That Not Everyone Has An Internal Monologue And It Has Ruined My Day.

My day was completely ruined yesterday when I stumbled upon a fun fact that absolutely obliterated my mind. I saw this tweet yesterday that said that not everyone has an internal monologue in their…

ryanandrewlangdon.wordpress.com

Do you have an internal monologue?

 

[GinaWhipp]

I am not alone! Never asked anyone and thought I was the strange one.

 

[pbaldy]

I not only have dialogs with myself, I have them with other people (like rehearsals of a discussion I want to have with them). Sometimes I have to think "did I talk about this with them, or was that just in my head?".

 

[moke123]

My wife discovered that when I talk in my sleep she could ask me questions and I'd answer her.

 

[GinaWhipp]

I not only have dialogs with myself, I have them with other people (like rehearsals of a discussion I want to have with them). Sometimes I have to think "did I talk about this with them, or was that just in my head?".

Right there with you and I find as I get older I have to ask them!

 

[The_Doc_Man]

I used to rehearse moments that I anticipated at work in hopes of setting up the chance for some witty riposte or crushing argument. I also replay scenes in my head when I am working on my hobbyist writing. You will sometimes see my reference my "stream of consciousness" (or sometimes of unconsciousness). When you see me note that "I digress" it is because my stream of consciousness became a torrent.

 

[Jon]

Doc, in a book called Evolutionary Psychology, I remember reading that most men regularly visualise violence against others and it kind of acts as a rehearsal, should the said situation arise. "If they do this, I do that." etc.

I hope no-ones thinking about violence against me due to feature requests being turned down. I better get that Solve Post button up fast!

 

[moke123]

I hope no-ones thinking about violence against me due to feature requests being turned down.

Well we weren't very happy when the site was down for days.

 

[AccessBlaster]

Vassago, it's OK to talk to yourself as long as you don't answer!

 

[CJ_London]

in hopes of setting up the chance for some witty riposte or crushing argument

I do this, but inevitably the discussion does not go that way. Was it General Molke who said something like 'no plan survives first contact with the enemy'?

 

[The_Doc_Man]

AB, I guess I'm in trouble, then, because it frequently happen that I have the split dialog. Though I have to admit it is most common when dealing with working on my novels.

 

[GinaWhipp]

Vassago, it's OK to talk to yourself as long as you don't answer!

Wait, what? You can't be adding rules like this.

 

[Vassago]

It's more fun to argue with myself. That happens far too often...

I definitely rehearse situations in my mind. I recall my rehearsal while in the actual situation as well. I'd probably fail any lie detector test because I think back too much on what I rehearsed instead of speaking in the moment. The inventor called lie detectors bogus for a reason.

An interesting note, apparently people with psychological issues such as schizophrenia apparently have these internal monologues, they may just believe they are actually other people talking to them. Would that mean that it's impossible to be schizophrenic if you do not have an internal monologue?

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Based on the answers I'm seeing here, the less likely case is to find someone who doesn't have an internal monologue than to find someone who believes there really ARE two people inside his/her head.

 

[NauticalGent]

I would be inclined to say something like "Talking to myself is the only way to ensure intelligent conversation", but I think I have shown too much to you all to attempt an idiotic like that and come away unscathed...