Book review: ‘Chatter’
Book author: Ethan Kross.
Chatter is written by Ethan Kross, an American psychologist with an expertise in the conscious mind. His book explores what ‘chatter’ is (more on this later) and provides some strategies for managing its negative impacts on our mental health and well-being. Kroll intersperses his book with references to research as well as providing anecdotes. This helps to make the book accessible to readers who do not have a psychology background whilst providing his arguments with a psychologically grounded foundation.
What is chatter?
So, what is ‘chatter’? Kross begins by exploring introspection, the ability that enables us to ponder our daily challenges and (hopefully) resolve them. If introspection represents our inner dialogue’s Dr Jekyll, then chatter represents its Mr Hyde. Kross describes chatter as those internal first-person conversations that are characterised by negative and at times, accusatory, content. Although chatter can frequently stray into the irrational, Kross believes that it is a very normal experience for many.
At first glance chatter may seem like a reconfiguration of mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. Kross tries to address this potential objection by explaining that chatter should not be conflated with mental health conditions, but rather understood as a risk factor that can often present as a symptomatic feature.
Chatter management: The key idea
Kross’ strategies for managing chatter are founded on the concept of ‘distancing’, an idea that he borrows from the work of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) pioneer Arron Beck. The premise of ‘distancing’ as imagined by Kross is simple: it aims to enable a person to actively engage with chatter inducing difficulties by attaining perspective of their situation and a greater awareness of the difficulty’s context.
Think of it like this: chatter represents staring at the trees, whilst distancing enables you to see the forest. The goal of this approach is to replace chatter with a more rational and reasoned perspective of one’s difficulties and concerns. Given the influence of Beck, it is perhaps unsurprising that there is a CBT feel to Kross’ strategic solution to chatter.
Kross argues that the concept of distancing enables people to address their difficulties more successfully as well has helping to silence chatter. The idea of creating ‘rational’ distance and perspective between a person and their difficulties is not a novel idea, as illustrated by Kross’ professed intellectual debt to Beck. This idea finds itself echoed in other psychological works, such as Daniel Kahneman’s ‘system 2 thinking’ in his celebrated Thinking, Fast and Slow (2011)(which is unsurprisingly referenced by Kross)and in theories such as Murray Bowen’s family systems theory (Kerr, 2019).
Despite the arguments made in favour of an ‘emotionally rational’ perspective, this objectifying approach could be perceived as an emotionally detached or even a ‘masculine’ way of approaching a person’s difficulties and may not sit comfortably with some readers.
Although some may have misgivings about Kross’ strategic foundation for dealing with chatter, Kross presents research suggesting there are various physical and mental health benefits associated with distancing and describes a ‘toolbox’ that he and his colleagues have developed to help deal with chatter to support the pursuit of these well-being benefits. As with other concepts contained in the book, Kross spends some time discussing the evidence that supports the value of the various toolbox strategies.
Chatter management: Stating the obvious or accessible to all?
Kross provides twenty six strategies to help manage chatter. Examples include the use of the second person when engaging in introspective self-dialogue, journaling, and organising one’s physical environment. There is a simultaneous strength and weakness in Kross’ suggestions. Many are conceptually and practically very simple, which makes them very accessible.
However their simplicity may also cause some readers to think, “is that it?” In reply, I would suggest that the accessible simplicity means there is little to lose by trying some of the strategies if one might benefit from trying to manage chatter. If a sceptical reader chooses to regard these ideas as mere placebo, then they are in luck, as Kross also argues that placebos can help produce a psychologically beneficial effect against chatter. Unfortunately, Kross also points out that being aware of the placebo negates this beneficial effect.
Chatter: A book for Educational Psychologists?
Why would an educational psychologist (EP) be interested in this book? I’d suggest two reasons. The first is self-care. With the working pressures facing many EPs, particularly with the ever-present reality of statutory advices, I would be surprised if there weren’t some EPs wrestling with chatter at some point as emotional responses become a topic of internal conversation. Although EPs have access to supervision, which should ideally provide a supportive forum for discussing difficult internal debates, supervisors are not always available. This means it could be helpful to have access to a few more strategies for our personal well-being toolkit. Kross’ suggestions could therefore prove helpful.
Kross’ work could also be of value to our therapeutic work with both children and adults. Some of the suggestions that Kross provides for individual self-care could be shared with those we work with where appropriate. Although a few suggestions for supporting others to manage chatter are inappropriate for our professional roles (such as ‘touch affectionately’), the addressing of emotional and cognitive needs is a core part of the EP role. Do we need Kross’ book for recognising this element of our work? Clearly not, but it’s role as a chatter negating strategy validates the important work that EPs do.
In light of this final observation, I’m not sure I’d describe Chatter as a ground breaking book for EPs. However, it has the potential to be a helpful book, and for that reason, I’d recommend having a read to make up your own mind.
Find out more
You can get Chatter at Hive. Hive supports local independent bookshops.
References
Kahneman, D., 2011, Thinking: Fast and Slow. Farrer, Straus and Giroux, New York. Kerr, J., 2019, Bowen’s Theory’s Secrets: Revealing the Hidden Life of Families. W. W. Norton, New York.
Kerr, J., 2019, Bowen’s Theory’s Secrets: Revealing the Hidden Life of Families. W. W. Norton, New York.
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