Why do we talk to ourselves? It’s not just a habit—it’s the brain solving its toughest computational problems.
New theory alert: Linguistic Active Inference Theory (LAIT) argues that inner speech‘s primary purpose is to augment the brain’s predictive processes.
By transforming expectations into language, we gain three superpowers:
- Efficiency: Encoding complex data fast.
- Extendibility: Planning beyond the immediate moment.
- Generativity: Creating novel solutions.
This framework, detailed in Psychological Review, provides a unified explanation for inner speech’s diverse functions—from working memory to problem-solving. This is a game-changer for understanding human consciousness.
Full Reading: Rethinking Inner Speech Through Linguistic Active Inference by Bo Yao, Psychological Review (2025):https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-98764-001.html
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