Curated and distributed into Self | Psychology | Language
Think Without Words. Really.
An evidence-based productivity hack for all
We have been thinking in words all our lives. We imagine that it is safe to say whatever we wish to say in our mind, that it does not matter. We should never mentally verbalize what we would not like to listen to in real life.
UNSW Sydney scientist and study first author Associate Professor Thomas Whitford says our silent internal dialogue affects our brain’s functioning, though to a lesser extent than actual spoken words. The studies demonstrate that inner speech — a purely mental action — is associated with an efference copy with detailed auditory properties. It is as if our brain is getting ready to speak those words. An efference copy is an encoded neural message that converts internal words into actual spoken words. Our inner chatter may be a hurdle in reaching our full potential.
Our silent internal dialogue dampens our brain’s functioning. ~ Thomas Whitford
In today’s world, this inner chatter is exaggerated many times when social media platforms spray a constant stream of words into our heads. Videos, audio, and written words, all influence our brains. It can be…
