Autohabla

Autohabla, from auto- meaning self and habla meaning speech, is a term used in Spanish-language sources to denote self-directed speech. It describes the practice of speaking to oneself, either aloud or mentally, to guide thinking, plan actions, solve problems, or regulate emotions. In English-language psychology, similar ideas are referred to as self-talk or private speech; autohabla is often described as the Spanish equivalent or a variant used in educational and clinical contexts.

Autohabla can appear in external form—audible commentary during a task—or internally, as inner speech. In research, think-aloud protocols require participants to vocalize ongoing thoughts, an approach that falls under autohabla in its external form. In developmental psychology, the concept parallels Vygotsky's private speech, which he regarded as a mechanism for self-regulation that is gradually internalized as inner speech.

Applications of autohabla include education, cognitive training, and psychotherapy, where structured self-talk can help focus attention, monitor progress, or reduce anxiety. Effectiveness is task- and person-dependent; some individuals benefit from positive, task-focused statements, while others may find self-talk distracting.

The term is most common in Spanish-language literature; in broader practice, researchers may translate it as private self-talk or think-aloud. See also private speech; think-aloud; metacognition; self-regulation.