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Schizophrenia

Inner Speech and Hallucinations: A Complex Relationship

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New research published in the Schizophrenia Bulletin explores the link between inner speech and hallucinations in the general population. According to the study, conducted by researchers at the University of California Riverside, inner speech models have been influential in explaining hallucinations, but a new perspective is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between inner speech, absorption, and voice-like experiences. The study involved two surveys, one with undergraduates from five countries and another with online participants in the USA, and found that both inner speech and absorption predicted voice hearing. The researchers argue that absorption, or an attitude toward the mind, may be an important factor in generating voice-like experiences.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that inner speech and absorption both predicted voice hearing in both studies, with a complex relationship between the two variables.
  • The researchers propose a model of moderated mediation to describe the relationship between absorption, inner speech, and voice-like experiences.
  • The study suggests that absorption, characterized as an attitude toward the mind, may be an important factor in generating voice-like experiences in the general population.
  • The study highlights the need for a new perspective on the inner speech model to fully understand hallucinations.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the Schizophrenia Bulletin.
  • The study involved two surveys with a total of 1825 participants, including 825 undergraduates from five countries and 1000 online participants in the USA.

Statistics:

  • The study found that 67% of participants in Study 1 reported hearing voices.
  • In Study 2, 55% of participants reported hearing voices.
  • The researchers found that absorption and inner speech both predicted voice hearing in both studies, with a moderate to strong relationship between the two variables.
  • The study suggests that voice hearing is a common experience in the general population, with approximately 70% of participants reporting hearing voices.

Sources:

  • Voice-Hearing in the General Population: The Relationship Between Inner Speech, Absorption, and Voice-Like Hallucinations. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 2025;51.
  • Kara Weisman, Dept. of Psychology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, United States.
  • Eleanor Schille-Hudson and Tanya Luhrmann, authors of the research.
  • Oxford Univ Press, Great Clarendon St, Oxford OX2 6DP, England.
  • Schizophrenia Bulletin, oxvfordjournals.org.

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