LAUSR

The goal of this Research Topic was to explore the myriad ways that researchers conceptualize and study the phenomenon of “talking to oneself ” and associated experiences of intrapersonal communication. It is clear that people show wide variations in what kinds of intrapersonal communication they experience, how frequently they engage in it, and what functions it serves. In this Research Topic, the contributors explore a range of explanations for how and why people differ in their inner speech, self-talk, or internal dialogue. Our nine contributors examine the phenomenology of intrapersonal communication, its development in childhood, personality and individual differences in the phenomenon, and its occurrence and use in sport contexts. Variations in intrapersonal communication have been studied using multiple methods, including questionnaires, open-ended self-reports, thinking aloud protocols, imaging techniques, and descriptive experience sampling. Researchers have also started to examine ways that inner speech can be manipulated and the effects of those manipulations on thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Interest in inner speech (covert self-communication) and private speech (self-communication that occurs aloud) has a long history. However, only recently have researchers begun in earnest to explore the wide range of features of intrapersonal communication. For example, research on various aspects of the neuroanatomy of inner speech and the development of inner speech is very active. Recent work also examines individual and personality differences in the nature, content, and frequency of intrapersonal communication. There is also substantial interest in applied work with self-talk in the domain of sport and athletic performance. This Research Topic highlights work in these areas.