Abstract
Little is known with regard to the precise cognitive tools the self
uses in acquiring and processing information about itself. In this article, we
underline the possibility that inner speech might just represent one such
cognitive process. Duval and Wicklund’s theory of self-awareness and the selfconsciousness,
and self-knowledge body of work that was inspired by it are
reviewed, and the suggestion is put forward that inner speech parallels the
state of self-awareness, is more frequently used among highly self-conscious
persons, and represents an effective, if not indispensable, tool involved in the
formation of the self-concept. The possibility is also raised that the extent to
which one uses inner speech could partially explain individual differences in
self-consciousness and self-knowledge. A selective review of the private and
inner speech literature is presented, and some possible ways of testing the
hypothesis by using pre-existing techniques are proposed in the hope of
stimulating empirical investigations. Some implications are outlined in
conclusion.