Metacognition

Metacognition is an awareness of one's thought processes and an understanding of the patterns behind them. The term comes from the root word meta, meaning "beyond", or "on top of".^[1] Metacognition can take many forms, such as reflecting on one's ways of thinking and knowing when and how oneself and others use particular strategies for problem-solving.^[1]^[2] There are generally two components of metacognition: (1) cognitive conceptions and (2) cognitive regulation system.^[3]^[4] Research has shown that both components of metacognition play key roles in metaconceptual knowledge and learning.^[5]^[6]^[4] Metamemory, defined as knowing about memory and mnemonic strategies, is an important aspect of metacognition.^[7]

Writings on metacognition date back at least as far as two works by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BC): On the Soul and the Parva Naturalia.^[8]

^ ^a ^b Metcalfe, J., & Shimamura, A. P. (1994). Metacognition: knowing about knowing. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
^ Cite error: The named reference :7 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Schraw, Gregory (1998). "Promoting general metacognitive awareness". Instructional Science. 26: 113–125. doi:10.1023/A:1003044231033. S2CID 15715418.
^ ^a ^b Hartelt, T. & Martens, H. (2024). Influence of self-assessment and conditional metaconceptual knowledge on students' self-regulation of intuitive and scientific conceptions of evolution. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 61(5), 1134–1180. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21938
^ Borkowski, J. G. (1992). "Metacognitive Theory: A Framework for Teaching Literacy, Writing, and Math Skills". Journal of Learning Disabilities. 25 (4). Hammill Institute on Disabilities: 253–257. doi:10.1177/002221949202500406. PMID 1573335. S2CID 10031331.
^ Gunstone, R. F. & Mitchell, I. I. (2005). Metacognition and conceptual change. In J. J. Mintzes, J. H. Wandersee & J. D. Novak (Eds.), Teaching science for understanding: A human constructivist view (pp. 133¬–163). Academic Press.
^ Dunlosky, J. & Bjork, R. A. (Eds.). Handbook of Metamemory and Memory. Psychology Press: New York, 2008.
^ Colman, Andrew M. (2001). "metacognition". A Dictionary of Psychology. Oxford Paperback Reference (4 ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press (published 2015). p. 456. ISBN 9780199657681. Retrieved 17 May 2017. Writings on metacognition can be traced back at least as far as De Anima and the Parva Naturalia of the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC) [...].

[Metcalfe-1] Metcalfe, J., & Shimamura, A. P. (1994). Metacognition: knowing about knowing. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

[:7-2] Cite error: The named reference :7 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Schraw_1998_113–125-3] Schraw, Gregory (1998). "Promoting general metacognitive awareness". Instructional Science. 26: 113–125. doi:10.1023/A:1003044231033. S2CID 15715418.

[:6-4] Hartelt, T. & Martens, H. (2024). Influence of self-assessment and conditional metaconceptual knowledge on students' self-regulation of intuitive and scientific conceptions of evolution. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 61(5), 1134–1180. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21938

[5] Borkowski, J. G. (1992). "Metacognitive Theory: A Framework for Teaching Literacy, Writing, and Math Skills". Journal of Learning Disabilities. 25 (4). Hammill Institute on Disabilities: 253–257. doi:10.1177/002221949202500406. PMID 1573335. S2CID 10031331.

[6] Gunstone, R. F. & Mitchell, I. I. (2005). Metacognition and conceptual change. In J. J. Mintzes, J. H. Wandersee & J. D. Novak (Eds.), Teaching science for understanding: A human constructivist view (pp. 133¬–163). Academic Press.

[Dunlosky-7] Dunlosky, J. & Bjork, R. A. (Eds.). Handbook of Metamemory and Memory. Psychology Press: New York, 2008.

[8] Colman, Andrew M. (2001). "metacognition". A Dictionary of Psychology. Oxford Paperback Reference (4 ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press (published 2015). p. 456. ISBN 9780199657681. Retrieved 17 May 2017. Writings on metacognition can be traced back at least as far as De Anima and the Parva Naturalia of the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC) [...].

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