A third gain in cognitive ability involves thinking about thinking itself, a process referred to as metacognition. It often involves monitoring one's own cognitive activity during the thinking process. Adolescents' improvements in knowledge of their own thinking patterns lead to better self-control and more effective studying. It is also relevant in social cognition, resulting in increased introspection, self-consciousness, and intellectualization (in the sense of thought about one's own thoughts, rather than the Freudian definition as a defense mechanism). Adolescents are much better able than children to understand that people do not have complete control over their mental activity. Being able to introspect may lead to two forms of adolescent egocentrism, which results in two distinct problems in thinking: the imaginary audience and the personal fable. These likely peak at age fifteen, along with self-consciousness in general. COUNT 4
QSN1 What is the term used to describe thinking about thinking itself? ANS1 metacognition QSN2 Are adolescents or children better able to understand that people do not have complete control over their thoughts? ANS2 Adolescents QSN3 The imaginary audience and personal fable peak at what age? ANS3 fifteen QSN4 At what age does self-consciousness in general peak? ANS4 fifteen