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 to use particular strategies for problem-solving.^[1] There are generally two components of metacognition: (1) knowledge about cognition and (2) regulation of cognition.^[2] Research has shown that both components of metacognition play key roles in learning.^[3]^[4] A metacognitive model differs from other scientific models in that the creator of the model is per definition also enclosed within it.^[5] Scientific models are often prone to distancing the observer from the object or field of study whereas a metacognitive model in general tries to include the observer in the model.

Metamemory, defined as knowing about memory and mnemonic strategies, is an especially important form of metacognition.^[6]

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.^[7]

^ ^a ^b Metcalfe, J., & Shimamura, A. P. (1994). Metacognition: knowing about knowing. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
^ Schraw, Gregory (1998). "Promoting general metacognitive awareness". Instructional Science. 26: 113–125. doi:10.1023/A:1003044231033. S2CID 15715418.
^ 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
^ 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.
^ 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.
^ 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.

[Schraw_1998_113–125-2] Schraw, Gregory (1998). "Promoting general metacognitive awareness". Instructional Science. 26: 113–125. doi:10.1023/A:1003044231033. S2CID 15715418.

[3] 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

[4] 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.

[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.

[Dunlosky-6] Dunlosky, J. & Bjork, R. A. (Eds.). Handbook of Metamemory and Memory. Psychology Press: New York, 2008.

[7] 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) [...].

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]