Metacognition for strategy selection during arithmetic problem-solving in young and older adults

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Human Development

Background:

• Metacognition, encompassing metacognitive monitoring and regulation, is crucial for effective problem-solving.
• Understanding age-related differences in metacognition is vital for cognitive aging research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between metacognitive judgments and strategy selection in arithmetic problem-solving.
• To examine age-related differences in metacognitive accuracy and its link to strategy use.
• To explore how metacognitive judgments influence subsequent strategy choices.

Main Methods:

• Participants (young and older adults) solved arithmetic problems and made metacognitive judgments (prospective and retrospective).
• Strategy choices and judgment accuracy were analyzed in relation to problem-solving performance.
• The influence of current metacognitive judgments on subsequent strategy selection was assessed.

Main Results:

• Both age groups demonstrated accurate retrospective judgments but not prospective ones.
• Retrospective judgment accuracy was similar between young and older adults when selecting and executing strategies.
• Older adults showed higher metacognitive accuracy when only selecting strategies.
• Low confidence judgments predicted better strategy selection on subsequent problems for both age groups.

Conclusions:

• Adults' metacognitive monitoring is accurate for past events but not future predictions in arithmetic tasks.
• Metacognitive regulation, particularly through confidence judgments, aids strategy selection across the adult lifespan.
• Findings highlight both age-invariant and age-sensitive aspects of metacognition in strategy use.