The concepts of overt and covert behaviors in psychology are crucial for understanding various developmental and behavioral phenomena, including self-directed speech in children and the mechanisms of consciousness and behavior change.

Key Insights

• Self-Directed Speech in Children:

  • Vygotsky's sociocultural theory posits that children use self-directed speech to regulate their thoughts and behaviors, transitioning from overt (full volume) to partially covert (whispering or mumbling) and finally to fully covert (inner speech or thought) as they develop
    1
    .
  • Empirical studies show that both overt and partially covert speech are used by children during tasks, but their relationship with task performance varies, suggesting that overt speech may not simply be a developmental transition but also influenced by social goals
    1
    .

• Consciousness and Behavior:

  • In consciousness research, overt behaviors are those that are observable, while covert behaviors are internal and not directly observable. The neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) suggest that perception and action selection can be seen as covert behaviors, contributing to the narrative of conscious experience
    2
    .

• Behavioral Interventions:

  • Covert modeling, which involves imagining a model performing a behavior, has been shown to be effective in behavior change, such as reducing snake avoidance and developing assertive behavior. This technique leverages the power of mental imagery to influence overt behaviors
    3
    4
    .

• Aggression and Social Behavior:

  • Studies on aggression in children indicate that overt aggression (physical or verbal acts) and indirect aggression (covert acts like spreading rumors) are influenced by factors such as peer rejection, parental practices, and child temperament
    9
    .
  • Adolescents' social goals and perceived relational support from teachers and peers can influence their overt and relational aggression, highlighting the importance of social context in behavioral development
    10
    .

Conclusion

The study of overt and covert behaviors in psychology reveals their significant roles in developmental processes, consciousness, and behavior change. Understanding these concepts helps in designing effective interventions and provides insights into the complex interplay between observable actions and internal cognitive processes.