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Is it normal to talk to yourself?

TED-Ed

6.5M Views . 2023-05-18

Dig into the psychological benefits of positive self-talk, and find out when it can become problematic. -- Being caught talking to yourself can feel embarrassing, and some people even stigmatize this behavior as a sign of mental instability. But decades of research show that talking to yourself is completely normal; most if not all of us engage in some form of self-talk every day. So why do we talk to ourselves? And does what we say matter? Dig into the psychological benefits of positive self-talk. Directed by Avi Ofer. This video made possible in collaboration with Character Lab Learn more about how TED-Ed partnerships work: https://bit.ly/TEDEdPartners Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreon Check out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletter Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebook Find us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitter Peep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning ---------------------------------------------- View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/is-it-normal-to-talk-to-yourself Dig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/is-it-normal-to-talk-to-yourself#digdeeper Animator's website: https://aviofer.com ---------------------------------------------- Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Sandra Tersluisen, Zhexi Shan, Bárbara Nazaré, Andrea Feliz, Victor E Karhel, Sydney Evans, Latora, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid, Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernon's, Olha Bahatiuk, Jesús Bíquez Talayero, Chels Raknrl, Sai Pranavi Jonnalagadda, Stuart Rice, Jing Chen, Vector-Dopamine math, Jasper Song, Giorgio Bugnatelli, Chardon, Eddy Trochez, OnlineBookClub.org, Eric Shear, Leith Salem, Omar Hicham, Adrian Rotaru, Brad Sullivan, Karen Ho, Niklas Frimberger, Hunter Manhart, Nathan Nguyen, Igor Stavchanskiy, James R DeVries, Grace Huo, Diana Huang, Chau Hong Diem, Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory and Blas Borde.

Talking to oneself, or self-talk, is a common human behavior that plays a role in development, planning, and emotional regulation. Although self-talk is often silent, it can be vocal, especially in children, and is considered a normal and beneficial practice.

self-talk
inner speech
psychology

  • Most people engage in some form of self-talk every day.
  • Self-talk is defined as verbalized thoughts directed towards yourself or some facet of your life, including both silent and out loud conversations.

Insights from the YouTube Video Script:

1. Is Talking to Yourself a Sign of Madness?

The script debunks the common misconception that talking to yourself is a sign of mental instability. It explains that self-talk is a normal and even beneficial human behavior, rooted in our developmental stages. From childhood vocal self-talk to internalized inner dialogue, it's a natural process for self-regulation and problem-solving.

2. The Importance of Self-Talk's Tone:

The script emphasizes the significance of self-talk's content and tone. Positive and instructional self-talk can boost focus, self-esteem, and performance, while negative self-talk can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and

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