BBC World Service South Asia

The Why Factor

Documentaries

Factual

The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions

The Why Factor: Why Do We Talk To Ourselves?

Why Do We Talk To Ourselves?

29/05/2017 GMT

BBC World Service - The Why Factor, Why Do We Talk To Ourselves?

In this Why Factor, Matthew Sweet asks who are we talking to when we talk to ourselves

We all do it sometimes. It can be embarrassing or just the way we organise our thoughts.  In this Why Factor, Matthew Sweet asks who are we talking to when we talk to ourselves

We all do it – sometimes. It can be embarrassing or just the way we organise our thoughts, a tool for remembering what is important. 

Sarah Outen, who spent four and a half years rowing, cycling and kayaking around the planet, says talking to herself, out loud, may have saved her life on more than one occasion.  The actor, Steve Delaney, has created an alternate persona, Count Arthur Strong, whose most vivid character trait is talking to himself.  

We all have more wisdom than we dare to think we’ve got, according the psychotherapist Philippa Perry, it’s just a matter of speaking it.  In this edition of the Why Factor, Matthew Sweet asks who are we talking to when we talk to ourselves.

(Photo: A man talks to himself in the mirror. Credit to Getty Images)

BBC World Service

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Why Factor

Why Do We Talk To Ourselves?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service South Asia

About BBC World Service