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The development of metacognitive ability in adolescence
Leonora G Weil1, Stephen M Fleming, Iroise Dumontheil
1Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, UK.
Consciousness and Cognition
|February 5, 2013
Summary
Metacognition, the ability to reflect on thoughts, develops significantly during adolescence. This study shows awareness of perceptual decisions improves with age, peaking in late adolescence and stabilizing in adulthood.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Development
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Introspection, or metacognition, is the capacity to reflect on one's own thoughts and behaviors.
- Adolescence is a critical period for the development of self-concept and self-awareness.
- Understanding metacognitive development is crucial for comprehending cognitive maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental trajectory of a specific metacognitive ability in adolescence.
- To examine the relationship between task performance and confidence during this developmental period.
- To determine when metacognitive ability stabilizes into adulthood.
Main Methods:
- A visual task was used to dissociate objective performance from metacognitive ability.
- Fifty-six participants aged 11 to 41 years were recruited.
- Metacognitive ability was assessed by comparing task performance with self-reported confidence.
Main Results:
- Metacognitive ability demonstrated a significant improvement with age throughout adolescence.
- The highest levels of metacognitive ability were observed in late adolescence.
- Metacognitive ability appeared to plateau as participants transitioned into adulthood.
Conclusions:
- Awareness of one's own perceptual decisions follows a prolonged developmental course during adolescence.
- Metacognitive skills continue to mature well beyond childhood.
- These findings highlight the extended period of cognitive development occurring in adolescence.
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