what is an internal monologue

An internal monologue, also known as an internal dialogue, is the phenomenon of hearing oneself talk in the mind without speaking aloud. It is a common occurrence, but not everyone experiences it. This inner voice is thought to be partially controlled by corollary discharge, a type of brain signal that helps distinguish between different sensory experiences. While having an inner voice is a natural process, some forms of inner speech could be cause for concern, especially if it is often self-critical. It is associated more with personality than intelligence, and people vary widely in how they experience it