In fact, neither can or should be ignored. There are times when we must use external referents. It is only when these become the primary or exclusive means of referencing ourselves that we get into trouble. For example, it is important that I take in information from those around me, yet I cannot let this information completely determine what I do. We need both, not either/or. Unfortunately, we have been so thoroughly trained in the process of the external referent that we are not even aware that an internal referent exists.
