How repetition, affirmations, visualization, and neurology may help us change our relationship with certain words
Have you ever heard of inhibition? Or maybe verbal satiation? Both of these are connected to something called semantic satiation. This phenomenon was explained by psychologist Leon Jakobovits in 1962 through his thesis titled “Effects of Repeated Stimulation on Cognitive Aspects of Behavior.” I first learned about it while reading a book called The Anti-Ableist Manifesto. I highly recommend this read by my friend Tiffany Yu. It is truly an eye-opening perspective.
In The Anti-Ableist Manifesto, semantic satiation is discussed as a way to become more comfortable with the word “disability.” As I was reading, I immediately thought about my own work as a health and lifestyle coach and how this concept could be a powerful tool for our mindset, mental health, and the way we relate to certain words.
Semantic satiation is the idea that when you repeat a word over and over, it can start to lose its meaning. You repeat it enough times that eventually it stops sounding like a word and starts sounding more like a collection of sounds. Some research suggests this can also happen by repeatedly reading a word instead of saying it out loud. I believe, though, from the perspective of neurology, neuroprogramming, and neurolinguistics, that speaking the word may be an important part of the process.
Verbalizing a word can create a neural pathway for processing that word. That pathway can form whether you say, hear, or see a word, connecting the word to the meaning behind it. When we repeat something again and again in a short period of time, the brain repeatedly uses the same pathway and it can become fatigued. This fatigue may cause the brain to temporarily separate the word from its meaning, or some researchers suggest the brain may begin tuning out the meaning of a word that is repeated excessively.
To experiment with this concept, people often recommend choosing a simple word like “house” or “cat” and repeating it at least 10 times.
Another fascinating part of neurology is that the brain can create new neural pathways. This is known as neuroplasticity. When I heard about semantic satiation and the idea that we can temporarily disconnect a word from its usual meaning, my brain immediately connected that idea to neuroplasticity and visualization. I thought, “Wait, could we create space for a new association with a word?” The possibilities for mental wellness are fascinating.
As it turns out, Dr. Jakobovits explored a similar idea. In his doctoral thesis, he wrote, “In principle, semantic satiation as an applied tool ought to work wherever some specifiable cognitive activity mediates some behavior that one wishes to alter.” In simpler terms, semantic satiation may be a tool for changing the emotional charge and personal meaning attached to certain words.
If you’re a long-time listener of my podcast, you know I’m a big believer in being intentional with the words we use. In an episode called “Going Against the Textbook,” I talked about neurolinguistic programming, using language intentionally, and identifying our own “word allergies.” To me, semantic satiation may be another way to clear some of those emotional reactions.
Maybe the word “fat” carries a lot of emotion for you. Maybe it’s the word “hunger.” Maybe it’s “bikini.” Whatever word comes to mind, repeat it ten times. Let’s use “bikini” as an example. Say it over and over. After those ten repetitions, when it starts sounding more like sounds than a word, it is time to create a new connection.
Say the word bikini again, and this time pair it with a different experience. Picture the warm sun on your face. Roll your shoulders back and down into a confident posture. Use visualization to connect the word with confidence and empowerment instead of the old emotional reaction. Over time, this may create a different feeling when you hear or say that word.
You can use this practice in many areas of life. Maybe for work, the word is “salary” or “negotiate.” Maybe there is another word that creates an immediate reaction in you. Whenever you notice a word that makes you tense up or feel uncomfortable, try playing with this technique.
Semantic satiation can be another tool in your toolbox to rethink the meaning you attach to words and create more intentional connections through affirmations, awareness, and the power of your own language.