Copenhagen, Denmark – A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Copenhagen has shed light on the phenomenon of “anendophasia,” where some individuals lack an inner voice. This condition has been found to have a significant impact on verbal memory and the ability to recognize rhymes. Participants without an inner voice struggled more with these tasks compared to those who possessed one.
The findings of the study reveal the unique cognitive strategies employed by individuals with anendophasia and raise questions about how this condition may affect other cognitive processes and potential therapies. While it was previously believed that having an inner voice was a universal human experience, the research suggests that not everyone shares this trait.
Lead researcher Johanne Nedergård explains that individuals living without an inner voice often describe the experience as time-consuming and challenging, as they must translate their thoughts into words. Some individuals think in pictures, which they then translate into words when needed, while others view their brain as a functioning computer that does not process thoughts verbally.
The study, published in the journal Psychological Science, involved participants completing a series of experiments to assess their verbal memory and ability to recognize rhymes. It was found that those without an inner voice struggled significantly more with tasks that required verbal repetition for recall.
Nedergård and her colleague, Gary Lupyan from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, discovered that individuals with anendophasia may use alternative strategies, such as tapping with different fingers for different tasks, to compensate for their lack of an inner voice. Despite this, the study did not find significant differences in other cognitive tasks between individuals with and without an inner voice.
While the differences in verbal memory identified in the study may not be noticeable in everyday conversations, the implications of anendophasia on therapy remain unclear. Nedergård suggests that having an inner voice may play a role in certain therapeutic processes, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, where identifying and modifying thought patterns is crucial.
Moving forward, further research will explore how anendophasia impacts different language areas and cognitive processes. The study, which involved nearly one hundred participants, provides valuable insights into the complex nature of inner speech and its implications on cognitive function.