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Related Concept Videos

Metacognition01:26

Metacognition

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Metacognition is a conscious process where individuals are aware of their cognitive and executive processes, such as planning before solving a problem or self-monitoring during reading. For instance, a writer may need help with composing a piece. The situation involves a writer who is working on a piece of writing, but while doing so, they realize that something is missing. They notice that their characters lack depth or details. This realization occurs because the writer is reflecting on their...
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Controlled processes in human consciousness represent high-alert mental states where individuals deliberately focus their attention on achieving specific goals. Controlled processes can be seen in situations like mastering new technology, where a person might become so absorbed that they ignore surrounding distractions. Such processes involve selective attention, requiring one to concentrate on particular elements of experience while disregarding others. These are governed by executive...
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Counterfactual thinking is a cognitive process wherein individuals mentally reconstruct alternative versions of past events, often beginning with “what if” or “if only.” This reflective mechanism plays a significant role in shaping emotional experiences and guiding future behavior. Though typically triggered by unfavorable or unexpected outcomes, counterfactual thinking can also emerge in mundane, everyday decisions and experiences, revealing its deep entrenchment in...
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A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are...
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Hindsight bias leads you to believe that the event you just experienced was predictable, even though it really wasn’t. In other words, you knew all along that things would turn out the way they did. Can you relate this to the phrase "Hindsight is 20/20" now? 
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Self-awareness is a psychological state in which the individual becomes the focal point of their attention. This inward focus transforms the self into an object of contemplation and assessment, influencing how individuals perceive their actions and their alignment with personal and societal standards.Triggers and Contexts for Self-AwarenessSelf-awareness can be activated by external stimuli that make individuals visually or audibly aware of themselves, such as mirrors, cameras, or recordings.
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Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties
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Model-free metacognition.

Peter Carruthers1, David M Williams2

  • 1Department of Philosophy, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.

Cognition
|April 10, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study distinguishes between model-based and model-free metacognition. Research suggests animals may exhibit model-free metacognition through epistemic emotions and effort allocation, but not model-based forms.

Keywords:
CuriosityIgnoranceMental effortMeta-representationUncertainty

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Science
  • Animal Behavior
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Metacognition, the ability to reflect on one's own cognitive processes, has been extensively studied in humans and nonhuman animals.
  • Existing research primarily focuses on model-based metacognition, which involves a self-model.
  • A distinction between model-based and model-free metacognition is proposed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To differentiate between model-based and model-free metacognition.
  • To evaluate evidence for metacognition in nonhuman animals.
  • To identify potential forms of model-free metacognition in animals.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing studies on human and animal metacognition.
  • Analysis of shared resources between human metacognitive judgments and animal behavioral tests.
  • Examination of claims regarding model-free metacognition in animals.

Main Results:

  • Human metacognitive judgments and animal behavioral tests do not share resources, suggesting animals lack model-based metacognition.
  • Claims of model-free metacognition in animals were largely refuted.
  • Two potential forms of model-free metacognition in animals were supported: epistemic emotions and effort allocation based on resource appraisal.

Conclusions:

  • Nonhuman animals likely do not possess model-based metacognition.
  • Epistemic emotions (curiosity, interest) and effort allocation decisions in animals may represent forms of model-free metacognition.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the nuances of animal metacognition.