Library Journal Review
The psychological concept of "self-talk" has been formally studied since the mid-20th century, although much more attention has been paid to it, and a number of books published on it, in the last decade. In this debut, psychologist Kross (Emotional & Self Control Lab, Univ. of Michigan) uses numerous examples and research to show that while positive self-talk (great job!") can be good for us, negative self-talk ("chatter") can lead to a frightening, downward spiral that can "harm our bodies, damage our social lives, and derail our careers." He then provides practical and relatively simple tools a person can implement to "harness the voice in our head," including using distanced self-talk, imagining advising a friend, broadening our perspective, reframing our experience as a challenge, and writing expressively. Helpfully, Kross also includes tools for providing and receiving chatter support, and tools that involve the environment (creating order in one's environment, increasing exposure to green spaces, and seeking out awe-inspiring experiences). His accessible writing will draw in casual readers of psychology and self-help books, and experts seeking to learn how to channel their inner thoughts. VERDICT A well-reasoned, well-researched guide for those prone to negative self-talk and those who support them.--Marcia G. Welsh, formerly with Dartmouth Coll. Lib., Hanover, NH |
Publishers Weekly Review
Kross, the director of the University of Michigan's Emotion & Self Control Laboratory, debuts with an eye-opening look at managing "the silent conversations people have with themselves." He begins with an anecdote from 2011: after Kross received a threatening letter, he spent sleepless nights armed with a baseball bat to protect his family and irrationally blamed himself for causing the situation. Kross eventually calmed down, but his experience inspired the writing of this book in order to share his findings on how to "keep silent, internal conversations from harming mental health." Using other anecdotes, such as that of Rick Ankiel, whose pitching career with the St. Louis Cardinals was derailed by overwhelming anxiety, Kross walks readers through a wide variety of internal conversations, such as helpful "linked" thought patterns that focus on a goal versus "unlinked" negative thought spirals. Kross profiles LeBron James, Fred Rogers, and Malala Yousafzai, among others, and articulates their strategies for dealing with negative self-talk, such as using rituals (like mantras or daily moments of reflection) to reduce harmful mental chatter. Kross also provides mind-calming tips, such as imagining one's self-talk as advising a friend and reframing one's experience as a challenge. Readers dealing with issues of self-talk would do well to pick up Kross's stimulating foray into popular psychology. (Jan.) |