Talking to oneself and talking to the character one roleplays as on role-playing sites are different activities with distinct purposes and contexts.
Talking to oneself: Talking to oneself is a common human behavior, often referred to as "self-talk" or "private speech." It involves speaking out loud or having internal dialogue with oneself, usually for various reasons such as problem-solving, processing emotions, rehearsing conversations, or organizing thoughts. People may talk to themselves when they are alone or in situations where they want to clarify their ideas or make decisions.
Talking to the character one roleplays as on role-playing sites: Role-playing on websites or forums involves creating and portraying fictional characters in various scenarios or settings. Participants often interact with each other through their characters in the form of written text. When engaging in role-playing, individuals speak and respond as the character they have created, essentially assuming their character's persona and communicating from their perspective.
Differences:
- Purpose: Talking to oneself is a personal and introspective activity, whereas role-playing on websites is an interactive and social experience focused on storytelling and creative expression.
- Audience: Talking to oneself is typically done in private, with no intended external audience, whereas role-playing involves communicating and collaborating with other participants on the role-playing site.
- Content: In self-talk, the content is directed towards the self's thoughts, emotions, or problem-solving. In role-playing, the content revolves around the character's actions, emotions, and interactions within the fictional setting of the role-playing site.
- Context: Talking to oneself is often a spontaneous and unplanned behavior, occurring in various everyday situations. Role-playing, on the other hand, is a deliberate and intentional activity done on role-playing sites or forums that are specifically designed for collaborative storytelling.
Both talking to oneself and engaging in role-playing can have benefits for individuals. Self-talk can aid in self-regulation, emotional processing, and cognitive development. Role-playing can enhance creativity, storytelling skills, and social interaction in an online community of like-minded individuals.