Self-talk refers to the practice of talking to yourself as you anticipate or evaluate an event.

• A. A physical barrier used in confinement
• B. A formal policy document between officers and inmates
• C. The practice of talking to yourself as you anticipate or evaluate an event
• D. A type of group discussion

Answer: (C)

Self-talk is the internal dialogue you use to prepare for or assess a situation. It’s a mental rehearsal that helps you anticipate what might happen and decide how you’ll respond, keeping you calm and in control. This is why the option describing talking to yourself as you anticipate or evaluate an event is the best fit—it directly defines that inner dialogue and planning process.

The other items describe things outside the mind: a physical barrier is something tangible that confines people; a formal policy document is an official written rule between parties; a group discussion involves multiple people talking together. None of these involve your own internal dialogue or mental rehearsal, so they don’t capture what self-talk means.