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Is it normal to talk to yourself?

TED-Ed

5.8M 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 yourself is a normal behavior that most people engage in every day. It can be used for a variety of purposes, including planning, working through difficult situations, and motivating yourself. However, the tone of self-talk can have a significant impact on your attitude and performance. Positive self-talk can increase focus and self-esteem, while negative self-talk can lead to anxiety and depression.

Self-Talk
Inner Speech
Psychology

  • Self-talk is a common behavior, and psychologists define it as verbalized thoughts directed towards yourself or your life.
  • Most self-talk in adults is silent, but speaking to oneself out loud is also a form of self-talk, and psychologists believe our first experiences with self-talk are mostly vocal, as children often speak to themselves out loud while playing.

Insights from the YouTube Video Script:

1. Is Talking to Yourself a Sign of Madness?

The text debunks the misconception that talking to oneself is a sign of mental instability. It emphasizes that self-talk is a normal and even beneficial behavior, present in most, if not all, individuals.

2. The Evolutionary Journey of Self-Talk:

The script explores the origin of self-talk, tracing it back to children's early development. It highlights Vygotsky's theory that children initially use outward self-talk as a tool for learning and regulating their behavior, eventually internalizing it into private inner dialogue.

3. The Power of Positive Self-Talk:

The text emphasizes the

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