Many of us use self-talk to inspire and improve ourselves. Yet the typically harsh, punishing approach often backfires (for example, Loser!). Research has repeatedly linked self-criticism to various ...

Your mind can be both your fiercest ally and your toughest opponent. Research uncovers what negative self-talk might really be doing for you, and how to work with it. Have you ever noticed a voice in ...

Negative self-talk, or the experience of your inner monologue being hyper-critical, can erode your confidence. And, usually, whatever you're worried about doesn't actually come to pass, says Judy Ho, ...

Does stepping back to evaluate a situation from a distanced perspective lead us to be selfish or fair? This question has been of philosophical interest for centuries, and, more recently, the focus of ...

Talking to oneself is a common phenomenon; yet research on spontaneous self-talk overlooks nuances in the self-perspective people adopt when engaging in this process. Laboratory research suggests that ...

Emotional self-harm refers to negative thoughts that damage someone’s self-esteem and mental health. This can manifest in overly critical self-talk or ruminating on past mistakes. Although the term ...