Editing Intrapersonal communication (section)

== Function and importance ==
Intrapersonal communication serves a great variety of functions.{{sfn|Lantolf|2009|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=2veMwywplPUC 566–569]|loc=Intrapersonal Communication Theories}} They include internalization, self-regulation, processing information, and problem-solving.{{sfn|Lantolf|2009|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=2veMwywplPUC 566–569]|loc=Intrapersonal Communication Theories}}{{sfn|Farley|1992|pp=481–484}}{{sfn|Watson|Hill|2015|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=IdGBCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA147 147–148]}} Because of this, communication theorist James P. Lantolf characterizes it as an "exceptionally powerful and pervasive tool for thinking".{{sfn|Lantolf|2009|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=2veMwywplPUC 566–569]|loc=Intrapersonal Communication Theories}}{{sfn|Guerrero|2006|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=uz2Y3xl71CIC&pg=PA49 49–50]}} He identifies two significant functions: to internalize cultural norms or ways of thinking and to regulate one's own activity. The self-regulatory function of intrapersonal communication is sometimes understood in analogy to interpersonal communication. For example, parents may influence the behavior of their children by uttering phrases like "wait, think". Once the child has learned them, they can be employed to control behavior by uttering them internally. This way, people learn to modify, accept, or reject plans of action.{{sfn|Lantolf|2009|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=2veMwywplPUC 566–569]|loc=Intrapersonal Communication Theories}}

According to Larry Ehrlich, intrapersonal communication has three main functions. One function is to monitor the environment and ensure that it is safe. In this regard, self-talk is used to analyze perceptions and to plan responses in case direct or indirect threats are detected. A closely related function is to bring harmony between the inner and outer world by making sense of oneself and one's environment. A third function is of a more existential nature and aims at dealing with [[loneliness]].{{sfn|Ehrlich|2000|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=GmlrWZ_xE1kC&pg=PA38 38–41]}} Many theorists also draw a close connection to the processes of searching and interpreting information.{{sfn|Farley|1992|pp=481–484}}{{sfn|Watson|Hill|2015|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=IdGBCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA147 147–148]}}

Inner speech may be needed for many higher mental processes to work. It has a vital role in mental functions such as shaping and controlling one's thoughts, regulating one's behavior, [[reasoning]], problem-solving, and planning as well as remembering. It often accompanies diverse communicative tasks, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing, for example, to understand an expression or to formulate a new one.{{sfn|Guerrero|2006|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=uz2Y3xl71CIC&pg=PA49 49–50]}} More specific applications are to calm oneself down in stressful situations{{sfn|UMN staff|2013|loc=[https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/chapter/1-1-communication-history-and-forms/ 1.1 Communication: History and Forms]}}{{sfn|Barnlund|2013|pp=47–52}} and to internalize new knowledge when learning a [[second language]]. This happens when repeating new vocabulary to oneself in order to remember it.{{sfn|Lantolf|2009|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=2veMwywplPUC 566–569]|loc=Intrapersonal Communication Theories}}{{sfn|Lantolf|2003|pp=[https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/vygotskys-educational-theory-in-cultural-context/intrapersonal-communication-and-internalization-in-the-second-language-classroom/32343FE428918ADAE081DDB0C09F0FFE 349–370]|loc=Intrapersonal Communication and Internalization in the Second Language Classroom}} Intrapersonal communication can also be applied to a great variety of creative tasks, like using it to come up with musical compositions, paintings, or dance routines.{{sfn|Lantolf|2009|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=2veMwywplPUC 566–569]|loc=Intrapersonal Communication Theories}}

Stanley B. Cunningham lists a total of 17 functions or characteristics commonly ascribed to intrapersonal communication. They include talking to oneself, dialogue between different parts of the self, and perception as well as interpreting environmental cues and ascribing meaning to them. Further functions are problem-solving, decision-making, introspection, reflection, dreaming, and self-persuasion.{{sfn|Cunningham|1992|pp=600–603}} The goal of some external forms of intrapersonal communication, like taking notes at school or writing a shopping list, is to aid memory. In some cases, they can also help break down and address a complex problem in a series of smaller steps, as when solving a [[mathematical equation]] line by line.{{sfn|Lantolf|2009|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=2veMwywplPUC 566–569]|loc=Intrapersonal Communication Theories}}

The importance of intrapersonal communication is reflected by how it affects other phenomena. For example, it has been argued that people who engage in positive self-talk are usually better at problem-solving and communicating with others, including listening skills. Negative intrapersonal communication, on the other hand, is linked to insecurities and low self-esteem and may lead to negative interactions with others. For example, people suffering from the [[imposter syndrome]] are continuously affected by [[self-doubt]] and [[anxiety]]. Their negative intrapersonal communication tends to revolve around fears that their skills are inadequate and may be exposed.{{sfn|MacNeil-Kelly|2020|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=G2vsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA42 42–44]}} In this regard, intrapersonal communication affects a person's self-view, their emotions, and whether they see themself as capable or incompetent.{{sfn|Farley|1992|pp=481–484}}{{sfn|Watson|Hill|2015|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=IdGBCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA147 147–148]}} It can help build and maintain self-confidence but may also create defense mechanisms. Additionally, it plays a central role in self-discovery and self-delusion.{{sfn|Watson|Hill|2015|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=IdGBCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA147 147–148]}}

=== In literature ===
Intrapersonal communication is also relevant in the field of [[literature]]. Of particular interest to [[literary studies]] is the term "[[stream of consciousness]]".{{sfn|Rosengren|1999|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=DAXj7z0UmCQC&pg=PT81 81–82]}}{{sfn|Guerrero|2006|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=uz2Y3xl71CIC&pg=PA93 93–94]}} As a [[Stream of consciousness (psychology)|mental phenomenon]], it is a continuous flow of momentary states of consciousness as they are lived through by the subject. They include experiences like sensory perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and memories.{{sfn|Zalkind|1968|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/literature-and-arts/language-linguistics-and-literary-terms/literature-general/stream-consciousness Stream of Consciousness]}}{{sfn|Baldick|2015|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=N7S6BwAAQBAJ&pg=PA343 343]}} The stream of consciousness is usually seen as a form of intrapersonal communication and the term is sometimes used as a synonym for interior monologue.{{sfn|Alperstein|2003|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=nOTtAAAAMAAJ 52]}}{{sfn|Baldick|2015|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=N7S6BwAAQBAJ&pg=PA343 343]}} In literary criticism, the term refers to a [[narrative technique]] or a style of writing used to express this stream of experiences. This usually happens by presenting the thoughts of a character directly without any summary or explanation by the narrator. It aims to give the reader a very immediate impression of what a character's experience is like. It often takes an unpunctuated and disjointed form that violates rules of grammar and logic. Often-discussed examples are found in [[Dorothy Richardson]]'s ''[[Pilgrimage (novel sequence)|Pilgrimage]]'', [[James Joyce]]'s ''[[Ulysses (novel)|Ulysses]]'', and [[Virginia Woolf]]'s ''[[Mrs Dalloway]]''.{{sfn|Baldick|2015|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=N7S6BwAAQBAJ&pg=PA343 343]}}{{sfn|Mepham|2003}} Closely related phenomena are introspective writing and inner speech writing. They are usually understood as forms of externalized inner speech in which the person writes down portions of their inner dialogue.{{sfn|Guerrero|2006|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=uz2Y3xl71CIC&pg=PA93 93–94]}}{{sfn|Daniels|Daniels|Cole|Wertsch|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=pn3S9TEjvUAC&pg=PA142 142]}}{{sfn|Diaz|Berk|Diaz|2014|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=kZvKAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA293 293]}}