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22 - Metacognitive Monitoring and Control in Monkeys

from Part II - Evolution of Memory Processes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 May 2022

By
Robert R. Hampton
Edited by
Mark A. Krause ,
Karen L. Hollis  and
Mauricio R. Papini
Mark A. Krause
Affiliation:
Southern Oregon University
Karen L. Hollis
Affiliation:
Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts
Mauricio R. Papini
Affiliation:
Texas Christian University
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Summary

Metacognition, or thinking about thinking, can adaptively modulate cognitive processing. For example, a student preparing for an exam may introspectively evaluate what she knows well already so that she can allocate more time to studying material she does not know as well. Such metacognition involves feedback between metacognitive monitoring, which assesses the current state of cognition, and metacognitive control that effects changes in cognitive processing. Some interesting and complex forms of cognition likely involve metacognition. Metacognition is also linked to explicit memory, executive control, theory of mind, consciousness, and other phenomena central to cognitive science. Like learning, memory, and cognition, metacognition is likely present in at least rudimentary forms in some animals other than humans. Information about the extent to which metacognition occurs in animals other than humans informs our understanding about the evolution of cognition. Metacognitive monitoring likely evolved because it supports effective metacognitive control.

Keywords

metacognitioncognitive monitoringcognitive controlexplicit memoryimplicit memoryintrospectionmemory systemsmonkeysprimates
Type
Chapter
Information
Evolution of Learning and Memory Mechanisms , pp. 392 - 405
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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