Sustained Cognitive Awareness: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives on Metacognition

Metacognition refers to the capacity to reflect upon, monitor, and regulate one’s own cognitive processes. Self-monitoring, a core component of metacognitive functioning, enables individuals to assess the accuracy, efficiency, and appropriateness of their thoughts, decisions, and behaviors in real time. This narrative review synthesizes foundational and contemporary psychological research on metacognition and self-monitoring, examining how these processes support learning, decision-making, emotional regulation, and psychological adaptability. Drawing from experimental, educational, and clinical literatures, the review explores theoretical models of metacognition, commonly used assessment frameworks, and individual differences in metacognitive awareness. Particular attention is given to how disruptions in self-monitoring are implicated in cognitive bias, academic underperformance, and certain forms of psychopathology. By integrating findings across subdisciplines, this review highlights the central role of metacognitive processes in adaptive cognition and underscores their relevance for psychological research, assessment, and intervention.