To provide even deeper insight, oftentimes my mind reserves specific imagery for specific emotions prompted by all sorts of words, comments, etc. So in a way, my mind recognizes a voice has spoken each word and it acknowledges there is a specified tone and pitch to each however, this is depicted via words, rather than a second or similar voice. More specifically speaking, if I know I need to do laundry and I notice a dirty sock on the floor, my mind will respond with the visualization of a to-do list with an asterisk or exclamation mark next to the words ‘do laundry.’Īt times, I will see the words spill onto a page (as they are spoken) in a way that illustrates the intonation of the phrase - perhaps a roller coaster going up and down for a question or low-tide for a monotone statement. For example, if there is an item on my to-do list that makes its way out of focus, but is prompted by the sight of something, an exclamation point might appear in my mind. Many of us who do not have an internal monologue that is constantly discussing the events of our day, will adopt involuntary visualizations triggered by specific words, phrases, or thoughts. If a person expresses a feeling of heartbreak, I do not replay the words in any one voice inside of my head, but rather picture a physical heart splitting in two along with a sound that can be associated with the thought - perhaps stepping on eggshells or the sound of a steel-toed boot smashing a fragile object resting on the ground.Īs the individual who expressed his shock following the discovery, I too was surprised to learn that hearing voices in a true linguistic form within the parameters of one’s own mind was both possible and involuntary for many. So for myself personally, I see the words a person is speaking as they would appear being typed on the page of a computer screen and never once will hear the person’s voice speaking them, nor my own. My responses to information in any facet come in two forms - auditory and visual.

In other words, some might hear a dog barking. If I were to say the word, ‘dog’ to you, your mind would likely do one of three things - picture a canine of some sort, the word itself, or hear a voice saying ‘dog.’ But for myself and others, there is a fourth option: sound. People can experience inner thoughts through emotion, sound, imagery, feeling, and text. The feedback was tremendous and very insightful for both sides - those with an inner monologue and those without with one person even mentioning that when they do voice-overs in movies of people’s thoughts, they ‘wished it was real.’ He then took this isolated discovery and made it into a social media poll where he encouraged the responses from anyone who could relate. About a month ago, there was a man who made a similar discovery via a texting conversation with a friend: that not every person has an ‘inner monologue.’ A person’s inner monologue can be defined as ‘the inner voice that narrates one’s thoughts throughout the day.’ He classified this insight as being a ‘day-ruiner’ considering he was in complete shock at the fact that not everyone hears a voice inside of their head on a daily basis.

Inner monologue