articulatory suppression

Articulatory suppression is a psychological technique used to reduce or block a person’s ability to use internal speech or "inner voice" during a task. It typically involves repeating a simple sound or word, such as "the, the, the," while trying to memorize or process information. This repetitive activity prevents the brain from silently rehearsing the material, making it harder to remember or manipulate. Researchers use articulatory suppression to understand how verbal processes contribute to memory and problem-solving, and to distinguish between different types of cognitive processes involved in working memory.