Research Foci

Language serves as a fundamental medium through which we encode our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. By studying the properties and functions of language, we can unravel how human experiences are intricately encoded and transformed through symbolic operations.

Inner speech, the silent voice in our minds, is an enigmatic conscious experience where the brain engages in a dialogue with itself. Why and how does the brain reflect on itself and interact with the world through language, and why is this ability not experienced universally by all individuals?

Voice hearing refers to perceiving non-existent voices. While some people occasionally hear names or imagine familiar voices, others suffer from persistent, distressing voices. What does this continuum reveal about the brain, and how does occasional voice hearing develop into psychosis?