Editing Intrapersonal communication (section)

== Types ==
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|alt1              = Photo of a boy thinking
|image2            = Helleu - Daydream.jpg
|alt2              = Painting of a woman engaged in daydreaming
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|alt3              = Photo of a boy taking notes at school
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|footer            = The most typical forms of intrapersonal communication happen internally, like thinking and daydreaming (top images). However, some forms make use of an external medium, like note taking at school or writing a shopping list for oneself (bottom images).
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Various types of intrapersonal communication are distinguished in the academic literature. The term is often used in a very wide sense and includes many phenomena.{{sfn|Cunningham|1992|pp=599–604}} A central contrast is based on whether the exchange happens purely internally or is mediated through external means. The internal type is the most discussed form. It plays out in the mind of one person without externally expressing the message. It includes mental processes like thinking, meditating, and reflecting. However, there are also external forms of intrapersonal communication, like talking aloud to oneself in the form of private speech.{{sfn|Barker|Wiseman|1966|p=173}}{{sfn|Oleś|Brinthaupt|Dier|Polak|2020|p=2}}{{sfn|Ehrlich|2000|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=GmlrWZ_xE1kC&pg=PA38 38–41]}} Other examples are notetaking at school, writing a diary, preparing a shopping list, praying, or reciting a poem.{{sfn|Lantolf|2009|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=2veMwywplPUC 566–569]|loc=Intrapersonal Communication Theories}}{{sfn|Sullivan|2009|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=mx51AwAAQBAJ&pg=PT311 271]}} External intrapersonal communication is also characterized by the fact that the sender and the receiver is the same person. The difference is that an external medium is used to express the message.{{sfn|Barker|Wiseman|1966|p=173}}{{sfn|Oleś|Brinthaupt|Dier|Polak|2020|p=2}}{{sfn|Ehrlich|2000|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=GmlrWZ_xE1kC&pg=PA38 38–41]}}

Another distinction focuses on the role of [[language]]. Most discussions in the academic literature are concerned with [[Verbal communication|verbal intrapersonal communication]], like self-talk and inner dialogue.{{sfn|Oleś|Brinthaupt|Dier|Polak|2020|pp=1–2}} Its hallmark is that messages are expressed using a symbolic [[Code|coding system]] in the form of a language.{{sfn|Chandler|Munday|2011a|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=nLuJz-ZB828C 448]}}{{sfn|Danesi|2000|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=n6XFBxvLzk0C 58–59]}} They contrast with [[Non-verbal communication|non-verbal]] forms like some forms of imagination, visualization, or memory.<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{harvnb|DeLucia-Waack|Gerrity|Kalodner|Riva|2004|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=peq9KcBlQtQC&pg=PA77 77]}} |2={{harvnb|Trotzer|2013|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=FT6AAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA444 444]}} |3={{harvnb|Fawcett|DeSanto-Madeya|2012|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=pdE-AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA87 87]}} |4={{harvnb|UMN staff|2010}} }}</ref> In this regard, intrapersonal communication can be used, for example, to explore how a piece of music would sound or how a painting should be continued.{{sfn|Lantolf|2009|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=2veMwywplPUC 566–569]|loc=Intrapersonal Communication Theories}}

Among the inner verbal forms of intrapersonal communication, an often-discussed contrast is between self-talk and inner dialogue. In the case of inner dialogue, two or more positions are considered and the exchange takes place by contrasting them. It usually happens in the form of different voices taking turns in arguing for their position. This can be conceptualized in analogy to interpersonal communication as an exchange of different [[Subject (philosophy)|subjects]], [[Self|selves]], or I-positions within the same person. For example, when facing a difficult decision, one part of a person may argue in favor of one option while another part prefers a different option. Inner dialogue can also take the form of an exchange with an imagined partner. This is the case when anticipating a discussion with one's spouse or during imaginary conversations with celebrities or lost relatives. For self-talk or inner monologue, on the other hand, there is no split between different positions. It is speech directed at oneself, as when commenting on one's performance or telling oneself to "try again". Self-talk can be positive or negative depending on how the person evaluates themself. For example, after having failed an exam, a student may engage in negative self-talk by saying "I'm so stupid" or in positive self-talk, like "don't worry" or "I'll do better next time".<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{harvnb|Oleś|Brinthaupt|Dier|Polak|2020|pp=1–3}}  |2={{harvnb|Lane|Abigail|Gooch|2016|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ISgRDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT62 62–63]}} |3={{harvnb|Lederman|2002|pp=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/media/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/intrapersonal-communication 490–492]}} |4={{harvnb|Ellis|2023}} }}</ref>

There are many differences between self-talk and inner dialogue. Inner dialogue is usually more complex. It can be used to simulate social situations and examine a topic from different angles. Its goal is frequently to explore the differences between conflicting points of view, to make sense of strange positions, and to integrate different perspectives.{{sfn|Oleś|Brinthaupt|Dier|Polak|2020|p=2}}{{sfn|Lane|Abigail|Gooch|2016|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ISgRDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT62 62–63]}} It also plays a central role in [[Personal identity|identity]] construction and self-organization.{{sfn|Oleś|Brinthaupt|Dier|Polak|2020|p=3}} One function of self-talk is [[Self-control|self-regulation]]. Other functions include self-distancing, motivation, self-evaluation, and reflection. Self-talk often happens in reaction to or anticipation of certain situations. It can help the agent prepare an appropriate response. It may also be used to regulate emotions and cope with unpleasant experiences as well as monitor oneself.{{sfn|Oleś|Brinthaupt|Dier|Polak|2020|p=2}}{{sfn|Lane|Abigail|Gooch|2016|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ISgRDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT62 62–63]}} Self-talk and inner dialogue are distinct phenomena but one can quickly turn into the other. For example, an intrapersonal communication may start as self-talk and then evolve into inner dialogue as more positions are considered.{{sfn|Oleś|Brinthaupt|Dier|Polak|2020|pp=1–2}}

Intrapersonal communication is linked to a great range of phenomena. They include planning, [[problem-solving]], and internal conflict resolution, as well as judgments about oneself and other people.{{sfn|UMN staff|2010}}{{sfn|Vocate|1994|pp=3–32|loc=Self-Talk and Inner Speech}} Other forms are [[perception]] and understanding as well as conceptualization and interpretation of environmental cues. Further phenomena are [[data processing]] like drawing [[inference]]s, thinking, and [[self-persuasion]] as well as memory, [[introspection]], [[dream]]ing, imagining, and feeling.{{sfn|Cunningham|1992|pp=599–603}}{{sfn|Beck|2008|pp=969–977}}