Selfquestion

Selfquestion is a term used to describe the deliberate practice of asking oneself questions to reflect, reason, and guide decision making. While not universally standardized, it is often described as a form of metacognitive self-questioning or self-inquiry, drawing on ideas from Socratic questioning and reflective practice. The aim is to improve understanding, problem solving, and autonomous learning by making thinking processes explicit.

The practice typically involves a user setting a goal or problem, then generating a focused set of questions to probe reasoning. Questions are answered honestly and, when useful, written down for future reference. The process is iterative: after answers are recorded, questions may be revised to probe deeper or to challenge assumptions, and insights are applied to the original task or decision.

Common question categories include clarifying understanding (what exactly is the goal?), examining assumptions (what am I assuming, and is it justified?), evaluating evidence (what data supports my view?), exploring implications (what are the consequences?), considering alternatives (what else could be true or done?), and assessing self-regulation (how can I monitor progress and adjust strategies?).

Applications span education, professional development, and personal growth. In classrooms, selfquestioning can foster critical thinking and independent learning. In workplaces, it may enhance decision quality and reflective practice. In personal development and therapy, it can support cognitive restructuring and goal setting. Potential limitations include the quality of questions, risk of negative self-talk, and time requirements. When used thoughtfully, selfquestion can be a practical tool for clearer reasoning and more deliberate action.