Do you have an inner dialogue?

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Research suggests that 30% to 50% of people regularly experience an inner monologue or inner dialogue — that is, the internal voice that narrates thoughts, debates choices, or talks through ideas.

However:

Not everyone has an ongoing inner dialogue. Some people think more in images, abstract concepts, or feelings rather than in words.

A 2020 study led by Russell Hurlburt, a psychologist at the University of Nevada, found that inner speech is just one of several common modes of consciousness, and even people who do have it don't experience it constantly.

Some people have episodic inner speech — it comes and goes depending on the situation (like during stress or decision-making).

Summary:

30%–50%: Regular inner monologue

Others: May have episodic or minimal inner dialogue, and rely more on non-verbal thought

There’s no universally agreed-upon number, but it's clear that having an inner voice isn't universal, and lacking it is not abnormal.

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