What is "The Inner Critic"?

I am beginning to think that "The Inner Critic" is a Preemptive Filter, an attempt to protect ourselves from social embarrassment in the eyes of others. We try to anticipate what others might think or say, and use those thoughts to try to avoid future loss of Social Capital. Our imagination makes the potential feelings of fear and embarrassment feel real in the moment, as The Inner Critic rehearses what might be said or thought by others. The imagination brings the feelings we are trying to avoid into the present, much like a dream.

As really young children, The Inner Critic likely doesn't exist until we gather enough social feedback through experiences with others, building a Social Capital Framework, where we know what is valued and not valued in the eyes of others. Our strong need to connect, belong, and feel valued in the eyes of others... our strong need to feel safe as we develop our own sense of self... probably results in the existence of "The Inner Critic."