What does the term "metacognition" refer to in psychology?

Metacognition refers to an individual's awareness and understanding of their own thought processes. It encompasses a variety of cognitive activities, including monitoring and regulating one's own learning and thinking. This concept enables individuals to recognize what they know and what they need to learn, making it an important aspect of effective learning and problem-solving.

The ability to solve complex problems, while related to cognitive processes, does not capture the self-reflective quality that metacognition embodies. Memory of past experiences is a separate domain of psychology focused on recollection rather than awareness of thought processes. The impact of emotions on decision-making addresses how feelings influence choices and judgments but does not involve any self-awareness about thinking specifically, which is central to metacognition. Thus, the understanding of one's cognitive processes is key to grasping the essence of metacognition.