[353] Psychology professor talks about talking to yourself on next ‘MTSU On the Record’

MURFREESBORO — The guest on the next “MTSU On the Record” says you’re not necessarily mentally ill if you talk to yourself, either alone or in public.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with MTSU psychology professor Tom Brinthauptwill air from 9:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, and from 6 to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 1, on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5and http://www.wmot.org.

Brinthaupt maintains that there are situations in which self-talk can be beneficial, including trying to remember something or to make a decision, expressing emotions, finding a solution to a problem or facing a new challenge.

“The same areas of the brain light up when we talk internally as when we talk externally,” Brinthaupt said. “There’s speech recognition and speech production functions in both of those. It’s very similar to normal conversation, but it’s internalized.”

Children as young as 2 to 3 years old talk to themselves, to stuffed animals and toys, or to other imaginary playmates as part of normal human development, the professor noted.

Brinthaupt and his students are currently conducting a study on dissociative experiences and self-talk. In psychology, dissociation is a condition that can range from merely ignoring one’s surroundings, such as during daydreaming, to more extreme cases such as dissociative identity disorder, formerly called multiple personality disorder.

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, go to http://bit.ly/mtsu-otr.

For more information about the radio program, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.