Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

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Do You Talk to Yourself? Here’s How to Harness Your Inner Voice | Ethan Kross | TED

TED

946K views 1 year ago

Warm-up Questions

Do you talk to yourself in your head? When does it happen most often?
What do you think “harness your inner voice” means?
Do you think your inner voice helps you more, or stresses you more? Why?

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Do You Talk to Yourself? Here’s How to Harness Your Inner Voice | Ethan Kross | TED

Inner voice: a superpower… and its dark side (00:00 – 05:56)

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1. According to the speaker, what do scientists mean by “inner voice”?

Talking out loud to solve problems
Hearing sounds that other people can also hear
Always thinking about the future instead of the present
Silently using language to reflect on your life

2. What is “chatter” in the talk?

A medical condition caused by stress
The dark side of the inner voice, involving negative thought loops
A type of small talk that builds friendships
A helpful way to plan and rehearse important conversations

3. Why does the speaker say “How can I silence this inner voice?” is not the best question?

Because the inner voice is a useful tool; we should learn to harness it
Because we should get rid of the inner voice completely
Because the inner voice is imaginary and not real
Because only experts can control the inner voice

Do You Talk to Yourself? Here’s How to Harness Your Inner Voice | Ethan Kross | TED

Tool 1: Distanced self-talk (Malala example) (05:56 – 08:34)

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1. What change does the speaker highlight in the quoted story about Malala?

She begins to vent to a friend instead of thinking alone
She decides to ignore the problem and move on
She stops thinking about the situation completely
She switches from first-person to using her name and “you”

2. What is the name of the tool the speaker says Malala is using?

Positive distraction
Distanced self-talk
Meditative silence
Emotional venting

3. What does “Solomon’s paradox” refer to in the talk?

People can give great advice to others but struggle with their own problems
People tend to forget grocery lists quickly
People become calmer when they speak in the first person
People should never ask others for support

Do You Talk to Yourself? Here’s How to Harness Your Inner Voice | Ethan Kross | TED

Tool 2: The right conversations, and Tool 3: Awe + conclusion (08:34 – 12:53)

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1. What is the speaker’s key message about venting?

Venting makes problems disappear because you feel heard
Venting is the best way to solve chatter quickly
Venting strengthens bonds but doesn’t help work through chatter by itself
Venting helps only if you do it privately

2. What two things should the best “chatter support” conversations include?

Ignoring emotions + giving strict instructions
Staying silent + waiting for time to pass
Expressing emotions with empathy + broadening perspective with advice
Telling jokes + changing the subject

3. In the study the speaker describes, what factor predicted declines in PTSD and stress?

The amount of venting they did
Participants’ age
Participants’ experience of awe
The length of the rafting trip

Do You Talk to Yourself? Here’s How to Harness Your Inner Voice | Ethan Kross | TED

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1. Which statement best matches the speaker’s overall view of the inner voice?

It is mostly harmful and should be eliminated.
It is a sign of weakness to have an inner voice.
It is a powerful tool that can help or hurt, depending on how we use it.
It is only useful for remembering information like shopping lists.

2. What is the main problem the speaker wants to solve?

How to become more productive by multitasking
How to stop the mind from drifting at all times
How to manage emotions by reducing unhelpful inner speech (chatter)
How to build stronger friendships through venting

3. What is the talk mainly offering?

A set of rules for giving speeches
A history lesson about medical procedures
Three science-based tools for managing inner chatter
A critique of modern technology and attention

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

Do You Talk to Yourself? Here’s How to Harness Your Inner Voice | Ethan Kross | TED

When does your mind “drift away” most often (commuting, studying, before sleep, etc.)? What do you usually say to yourself then?
Have you experienced “chatter” (worry/rumination/negative self-talk)? What triggers it for you?
Would “distanced self-talk” (using your name and “you”) feel natural or awkward for you? Why?
When you support a friend, do you mostly listen and empathize, or do you give advice? What balance do you think works best?