Who defined metacognition?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 06, 2026
1057–1059): Metacognition is a construct that was first articulated by John Flavell, who later defined it as “cognition about cognitive phenomena[.]” Metacognition, so named and defined, has only recently become a focus of cognitive-developmental inquiry.
Who discovered metacognition?
The term 'metacognition' was introduced by John Flavell in the early 1970s based on the term 'metamemory' previously conceived by the same scholar (Flavell 1971). Flavell (1979) viewed metacognition as learners' knowledge of their own cognition, defining it as 'knowledge and cognition about cognitive phenomena' (p.
Who is the theorist of metacognition?
Definition of Metacognition
The concept was created by John Flavell in the 1970s. It includes all the processes involved in regulating how we think.
Who talked about metacognition?
David Perkins (1992) defined four levels of metacognitive learners which provide a useful framework for teachers: 1. Tacit learners are unaware of their metacognitive knowledge. They do not think about any particular strategies for learning and merely accept if they know something or not.
Who studied metacognition?
John flavell, one of the first researchers in metacognition and memory, defined these two areas as metacognitive knowledge- awareness of one's thinking- and metacognitive regulation- the ability to manage one's own thinking processes. These two components are used together to inform learning theory.
44 related questions foundWho benefits more from having metacognitive skills?
Research shows that even children as young as 3 benefit from metacognitive activities, which help them reflect on their own learning and develop higher-order thinking.
Is Meta thinking good?
Metacognition has been linked to improved learning outcomes. It makes sense that individuals who are strategic in their learning are more successful than those who do not reflect on the learning process. For instance, metacognitive learners are more likely to notice when what they are studying does not make sense.
What John Flavell means about thinking about thinking?
Metacognition can be defined very simply as thinking about thinking, or more fully as by developmental psychologist John Flavell: “Metacognition refers to one's knowledge concerning one's own cognitive processes or anything related to them, e.g., the learning-relevant properties of information or data.
What is thinking about thinking called?
Metacognition is, put simply, thinking about one's thinking. More precisely, it refers to the processes used to plan, monitor, and assess one's understanding and performance. Metacognition includes a critical awareness of a) one's thinking and learning and b) oneself as a thinker and learner.
Why metacognitive knowledge is necessary for 21st century learners?
Perhaps the most important reason for developing metacognition is that it can improve the application of knowledge, skills, and character qualities in realms beyond the immediate context in which they were learned.
Is metacognition supported by theory?
Metacognitive theories are theories that integrate one's knowledge about cognition and regulation of cognition. By “theory” we mean a relatively sys- tematic structure of knowledge that can be used to explain and predict a broad range of empirical phenomena.
What is metacognition According to Piaget?
Metacognition is a word that was first used by Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget's greatest American disciple John Flavell in the 1970's. It essentially means ”thinking about thinking” or the capacity of the mind to reflect on its own working operations.
What is MCT in psychology?
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a psychotherapy focused on modifying metacognitive beliefs that perpetuate states of worry, rumination and attention fixation. It was created by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model by Wells and Gerald Matthews.
Who identified the two components of metacognition?
Research on metacognition has its roots in two distinct areas of research: developmental psychology and cognitive psychology. Metacognitive research in the area of developmental psychology can be traced back to the theory proposed by Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky.
What is the metacognitive model?
The metacognitive model identified a general negative style of thinking across psychological disorders, called the Cognitive Attentional Syndrome [5]. The CAS is comprised of perseverative thinking, predominantly worry and rumination, attentional monitoring of perceived threats, and maladaptive coping strategies.
How do you define metacognition?
Metacognition is the process of thinking about one's own thinking and learning. Metacognition: intentitional thinking about how you think and learn.
What are the 3 types of thinking?
3 Modes Of Thinking: Lateral, Divergent & Convergent Thought.
What are the four types of knowledge?
The Knowledge Dimension is the “knowing what.” It has four categories: factual, conceptual, procedural, and metacognitive.
What part of the brain controls metacognition?
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been proposed to play a critical role in metacognition [14], and it has been demonstrated that interference with or lesions in PFC regions may impair metacognitive monitoring of perceptual decisions, but not decisions per se [15–18, but see also 19].
What are the three categories of metacognitive knowledge according to Flavell?
Metacognitive knowledge refers to acquired knowledge about cognitive processes, knowledge that can be used to control cognitive processes. Flavell further divides metacognitive knowledge into three categories: knowledge of person variables, task variables and strategy variables.
What are the 3 part of thinking about thinking give each meaning *?
Generally referred to as “thinking about thinking.” Self-awareness about knowledge that involves three aspects: learning processes and beliefs about learning, the task of learning and how information is processed, and strategies for learning and when they will be used.
What is the difference between metacognition and metacognitive knowledge?
Metacognitive knowledge – this refers to a student's awareness of what they do or don't know about their cognitive processes. It includes knowing their strengths, weaknesses, and identifying gaps in their knowledge. This type of metacognition also refers to knowledge of skills that students may use to solve a problem.
Can metacognition be taught?
A metaphor that resonates with many students is that learning cognitive and metacognitive strategies offers them tools to "drive their brains." The good news for teachers and their students is that metacognition can be learned when it is explicitly taught and practiced across content and social contexts.
Does everyone have metacognition?
While “inner language,” thought to be a prerequisite, begins in most children around age five, metacognition is a key attribute of formal thought flowering about age eleven. Interestingly, not all humans achieve the level of formal operations (Chiabetta, 1976).
Is metacognition a skill?
Definition. Metacognitive skills are strategies applied consciously or automatically during learning, cognitive activity, and communication to manipulate cognitive processes before, during, or after a cognitive activity (Flavell, 1976, 1979).