On Metacognition

[holland]

Metacognition refers to our awareness of our own conscious and subconscious thought processes and how our brains work. For example, can you recognize when you have and haven't absorbed information when studying? Can you tell when something is triggering or overwhelming you? Can you tell the difference between feeling anxiety and physical discomfort? Can you identify the signs that you need to take a break?

It also refers to our ability to regulate -- manage or control -- those thoughts, feelings, memories, and the resulting actions.

The human brain has all kinds of mechanisms to stop us from thinking about our own thoughts objectively, so the skills around metacognition are actually very difficult to develop. Though some people who are naturally inclined to inward reflection may have an easier time understanding themselves.

Besides working around those firewalls in the brain, we also need some conscious understanding of the brain and how it works, even if it's at a metaphorical level rather than a precise neurological level. That's why we talk about things like memory and hormones and learning theories here. The better you understand the brain at a conceptual level, the easier it is to spot related patterns in your own mind and the minds of your viewers.