The volume of the "voice inside our head," also known as inner speech or subvocalization, is generally associated with the intensity of our thoughts or mental dialogue. It is the silent act of articulating words or thoughts in our minds without actually vocalizing them out loud. While we may not be able to change the volume of this inner speech in the same way we can adjust the volume of our audible voice, there are a few reasons for this:
Neural Mechanisms: Inner speech is thought to involve similar brain regions that are responsible for generating external speech. However, when we subvocalize, the neural activity primarily occurs in the speech production areas of the brain, but without the full motor output that results in audible speech. Since this process doesn't involve the vocal cords or the actual generation of sound waves, there's no direct mechanism to control the volume as we do with our audible voice.
Cognitive Habit: The volume of inner speech is often habitual and can be influenced by factors like our personality, emotions, or level of focus. Some people may naturally have a louder inner voice, while others might experience it more quietly. Like any habit, changing the volume of inner speech may require consistent practice and conscious effort.
Focus and Attention: The intensity of inner speech can vary based on our level of focus and attention to the thoughts at hand. When we are deeply engaged in a thought or concentrating on a specific task, the inner speech might feel more pronounced. On the other hand, during moments of relaxation or daydreaming, the volume of inner speech might naturally decrease.
Limited Sensory Perception: Our ability to control the volume of our inner speech is limited by the fact that we are not consciously aware of the neural activity underlying it. Inner speech is an internal cognitive process, and we don't have direct access to the neural activity in the same way we can control muscles to produce audible speech.
While we may not be able to directly control the volume of our inner speech, being aware of it and understanding its patterns can be beneficial. Mindfulness practices and techniques can help individuals gain better control over their thoughts, reduce distractions, and improve mental clarity, even if we can't directly change the volume of the inner voice itself.