The tendency to talk to oneself out loud has traditionally been stigmatized in our society, erroneously linked to mental disorders. However, recent research in the field of psychology reveals that this practice, far from being a cause for concern, can significantly enhance our cognitive abilities, particularly in areas such as memory and concentration, provided it is not accompanied by other alarming symptoms.

According to statements from Professor Gary Lupyan, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin, to the BBC network, verbalizing thoughts is not an irrational act, but a process that can enhance one's mental capacities. A recent study exposed participants to a screen displaying various objects, confirming that those who named the articles aloud could locate them more quickly. The expert explains that this happens because "by mentioning what you are seeing, the brain activates visual information to identify the object faster."

Childhood as a Model for Positive Self-Talk

The most representative case of the benefits of talking to oneself is found in children. During childhood, verbalized internal dialogue is a natural part of learning and helps youngsters guide themselves through their daily tasks, improving their performance in motor activities. This phenomenon, far from indicating problems, constitutes an essential tool for cognitive development.

Psychotherapist Anne Wilson supports this positive view, stating that "we all need to talk to someone interesting, who knows us perfectly and is on our side. Who better than ourselves?" Some professionals even recommend this practice in their therapeutic consultations due to its multiple advantages.

Advantages of Verbalized Self-Dialogue

Among the benefits that talking to oneself provides are the reinforcement of memory, the structuring of thought, and facilitating problem-solving. Contemporary psychology considers self-talk a form of internal socialization that positively contributes to emotional well-being, providing cognitive motivation and mental clarity.

This new perspective on a traditionally stigmatized behavior is supported by scientific studies, such as the one published by Gary Lupyan and Daniel Swingley titled 'Self-directed speech affects visual search performance' in The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology.