#pennebaker

I had maybe heard 'The Times Are A-Changing' on the radio, but I had no idea who Dylan was. No idea.

What the use of the I-pronoun says about you

Frequent “I” users subconsciously believe they are subordinate to the person to whom they are talking (or writing).

Pronouns tell us what people are paying attention to, where someone’s internal focus is pointing. Often, people using “I” are being self-reflective. But they may also be self-conscious or insecure, in physical or emotional pain, or simply trying to please.

The high-status person is looking out at the world and the low-status person is looking at himself.

Other than the high-powered and highly confident, who avoids using “I”? People who are hiding the truth. Avoiding the first-person pronoun is distancing. Dr. Pennebaker found people who use the pronoun “I” more often are more honest communicators, more likely to be telling the truth.

How often should you use “I”?

More—to sound humble (and like a team player)? Or less—to come across as more assured and authoritative? Dr. Pennebaker says the answer is “mostly more.”

From Scientific American:

Depression and suicide risk: Public figures and published poets use more first-person singular pronouns when they are depressed or suicidal, possibly indicating excessive self-absorption and social isolation.

Daybreak Express (D.A. Pennebaker, 1953)

Daybreak Express (D.A. Pennebaker, 1953)

Daybreak Express (D.A. Pennebaker, 1953)