To ask: do you have an inner-monologue?

[allthatgrace]

I don't have an inner-monologue and never realised that some people do. My thoughts are rapid, abstract and conceptual rather than verbal.

For example, if I am thinking that I'm hungry and want to start making dinner it takes the form of something like: concept of hunger+concept of dinner+concept of it being the evening/dinner time. After speaking to my family members they would have an inner-voice that actually says "I'm hungry, I think I'll go start dinner".

I have also always been confused about the idea of having an inner-critic that berates you. I've never heard an inner-voice say, for example, "nobody cares what you have to say, don't bother speaking, everything you say is stupid", instead I would just feel the sensation of shyness and wanting to stay quiet.

I can make myself have an inner-voice and I will use it occasionally, for example if I'm trying to remember a particular phrase or something but my default thinking is not an inner-monologue.

Which kind of thoughts do you have?

@ErrolTheDragon

HalcyonSea's posts, especially the one at 1:45 express much I agree with . (words do have their uses. communication, and 'thinking about thought'.)

I would be curious to know if the different modes of thinking described on the thread correspond with peoples aptitudes and chosen professions. I can't imagine doing maths and science without a mix of them.

Musicians? Artists? A poet may obviously work in the medium of words but Wordsworth refers to his 'inward eye'.

This is a good point. My presumption from some work in both fields is that artists think in images and "re-create" what's in their minds in the real world. And musicians similarly think in sounds. No words describing a picture or the construction of the music. Different ideas/ memories lend themselves to different types of thought or memory where you imagine or re-live the sensation/ smell/ vision/ sound/ taste in your head, for me anyway. And the feeling it gave you. Or the abstract thoughts it stimulated. Not something expressed in words, unless the memory/ imaginary thing itself was of a conversation.

Those with no inner dialogue, are you able to rehearse for an interview in your head? Like, go over the possible questions and your answers?

[quote ofwarren]@Halyconsea
I have words in my head but also thoughts, concepts, images, feelings, smells, emotions, memories.
It isn't just words and it isn't lesser than those who don't have words. In fact, I'd say it's more. It's variable. If I follow a thought, it turns into words but it's a whole experience with words along side it. [/quote]
I wasn't meaning to imply it is lesser. I do think it would be limiting in some ways as I've described, to have words distracting from thought all the time. But I suppose there must also be benefits to this or we would not have evolved with so many people having different brains. I just can't imagine it! Even though much of what I've studied and my work is focused on language, I cannot imagine thinking in words. I translate thoughts to words as best I can, when I need to share my thoughts with others - and often badly I guess hence accidentally offending people! I am very excited to discover people's internal worlds are so diverse and am still trying to wrap my head around it; I apologise if what I said came across as disparaging, that was not intentional. I have found this thread absolutely fascinating.

@ofwarren

Those with no inner dialogue, are you able to rehearse for an interview in your head? Like, go over the possible questions and your answers?

Aaargh the incredibly awful "rehearse in front of the mirror" advice! I can't do it. I think through possible questions they might ask and often write these down. Then spend some time considering answers. I'll maybe look over the list again before the interview and mentally check off that yes, I could answer all of these, so be calm!! Hate interviews. But no I wouldn't rehearse something word for word as that would be like a script and unnatural I think?

Place marking OP as I want to read this properly later. But also wanted to say thanks for starting this one, it's a really fascinating subject. I've a constant monologue in my head and like others have said often find my lips move along too, I'll sometimes have parts of the conversation out loud and often gesture too. I must look barmy

Recently DD is showing signs of having this too and often intrusive thoughts. She's a mega daydreamer so I'm going to read up on maladaptive daydreaming as it rings true. On the whole though she's really struggling with it all so this thread is perfect.

Thanks to everyone for their contributions too.

I only have words in my head, no pictures, and oh my how the words go on! There's a name for not being able to hold proper pictures in your head and research was being done into it recently in one of the universities in the uk........but I can't remember what it's called. People with autism have been found to sometimes think entirely in pictures. I guess a middle ground is probably more usual.

Place marking OP as I want to read this properly later. But also wanted to say thanks for starting this one, it's a really fascinating subject. I've a constant monologue in my head and like others have said often find my lips move along too, I'll sometimes have parts of the conversation out loud and often gesture too. I must look barmy

This is me too.

I don't anymore, my inner voice is highly critical and drive me into depression, I'm now on meds which have shut that bitch up for good.

Those with no inner dialogue, are you able to rehearse for an interview in your head? Like, go over the possible questions and your answers?

Yes, because you're doing it in purpose. I can talk to myself in my own head if I want to. It's just not the default setting and it feels clunky.

There's a name for not being able to hold proper pictures in your head
Aphantasia. But it's not just inability to hold them, it's a complete inability to form any mental images at all.
I was incredibly suprised when I discovered a couple of years ago that other people could actually visualise things.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34039054

I have to say, I absolutely HATE my inner monologue. I realise it's not the same for everyone, but it makes my thought processes quite laborious. It also means that I struggle with spontaneity. Sometimes it doesn't correspond with what I'm actually doing, so I end up making stupid mistakes or misunderstanding things. I also find it very difficult to switch off and go to sleep.

A couple of posters have described something more like a dialogue than a monologue, but mine is definitely the latter. I don't have conversations with myself. It's more like being a roving reporter with random off-topic diversions ... 'oh, here's the green gate I was supposed to look for, could do with a lick of paint, wonder how I'm supposed to open it, hope I don't trip on that loose bit of paving, crikey did I remember to put ketchup on the shopping list, there's a dog, looks friendly enough ... etc etc! Just a load of old crap.

‘Those with no inner dialogue, are you able to rehearse for an interview in your head? Like, go over the possible questions and your answers?’

Yes. And I can learn lines for a play. I can talk in my head if I have to, but find it boring because it both limits and slows down my thinking.

People with inner monologues, are you able to think multiple contradictory thoughts at the same time, or do they have to queue? What about feelings? Does a voice announce, ‘you are now feeling love?’

"People with inner monologues, are you able to think multiple contradictory thoughts at the same time, or do they have to queue? What about feelings? Does a voice announce, ‘you are now feeling love?"

I don't hear them at the same time, they take in turns like a conversation.
For feelings, I just feel them. Nothing gets announced.

Mine sings an awful lot. Quite badly, and in my voice. Often songs that I haven’t heard for years that are really annoying. It was singing ‘macho macho man’ when I was making breakfast this morning. No idea where that came from!

I'm a really good singer but just in my head! I'm practically Celine!

Love this thread
Just came back to read last few pages after getting caught down a rabbit hole with it last night, it’s so interesting.

For me , I definitely have an inner monologue , mines is like my own voice instructing and commenting the whole day.
So thinking about days plans and my mind will be saying “ right need to do this then this , oh but don’t forget to go here too , oh but you need shopping bags for that , ok get them for car “ , then I’ll randomly have the peppa pig tune or something playing in my head as I’m doing stuff.

I can also be thinking about things with the inner monologue going , so doing my list thing , commenting on what I’m doing , but also visualizing and thinking about where we went out walking on Sunday and how green the trees were and what a lovely valley it was.

I’ve never really thought about all this until I read this thread.

I don’t mind the chatter in my head, it’s only me talking to me and it’s like a Filofax in
My head but in monologue form. I think I commentate on most of my day to myself now that I think about it and I even can be humorous in my own head , saying things like for gods sake , who does stuff like this Rubywoored ( I say my name to myself in my head ) if I make a wee mistake or something in my day.

I just assumed all this was normal
I assume it’s to exercise the brain and keep it alert and all neurons firing at all times.

My inner monologue is like a cheery chatty to do list

For reading , like PPs have said , I also read and immerse myself in books , imagine all the characters and Feel like I’ve watched a film, I can visualize the costumes the peoples faces , the decor , the houses , it’s amazing . It truly fits the phrase “ lost in a book “

Are there people who are not like this then ? What happens in their brains ?

I was a lonely kid and my inner voice became my outer voice and I talked to myself a lot and frankly still do. When I worked full time from age 21-38 I didn’t because I had a lot of companionship. When I became a sahm I started again, then when I got a part time job I did less. When we moved across country I was so lonely I had to watch it so I wouldn’t do it in public! It’s horribly embarrassing - was going to name change for it but thought what the hell, maybe else does it too. I’m well aware there is no one else around. I wish I could stop it as it’s pretty pathetic!

@funnyoldonion Me too!
My inner singing voice is pitch perfect with the vocal range of Whitney Houston 🤣

Brilliant @ofwarren! I wish it came out of my mouth the same!

‘Are there people who are not like this then ? What happens in their brains ?’

They think in thoughts not words.

@LibertyMole

‘Are there people who are not like this then ? What happens in their brains ?’

They think in thoughts not words.

I thought thoughts were Words ?

So interesting to hear different things.

Inner monologue - I can even argue with myself over different points of view.

Aphantasic, though. Can't think in pictures.

I also have a constant monologue in my head, never shut up. I sometimes try to shut myself up but it takes so much energy to manage just few second to do that and then I drift back into talking in my head. I also pretty much end up not breathing to manage few seconds of silence in my head. If I am reading I say the words in my head, can't process them otherwise.

I have strong imagination too and often daydream. I can easily daydream for long periods of time and do really enjoy it. Have vivid dreams as well so clearly my brain just likes to be stuck on overdrive at all times. Probably why I struggle to remember anything at all

I just can't imagine not thinking in words or having pictures. If you had to recall a route somewhere without these how would you do it? I would think the words "go to the end of the road, turn left, down the hill" I would also SEE the road as if I were driving it. Complete with all the shops and things. It's not JUST words for most people. It's a mix of words, pictures and feelings.
If you don't have words or visions how do you actually think?!