Age Related Changes in Metacognitive Processes

Abstract

In this study changes in metacognitive beliefs according to aging was investigated. Paricipants' (N = 1816) meta cognitive beliefs were measured using with Adult form of Metacognitive Questionnaire (MCQ-30) and Child and Adolescent form of Metacognitive Questionnaire (MCQ-CA). A 5 (age: 8-12 years, 13-17 years, 18-29 years, 30-44 years, and 45+) x 4 (level of education: primary school, high school, university, and graduate) x 2 (sex: male and female) MANOVA for factorial design was conducted. Dependent variables of the analysis were MCQ's subscales, namely cognitive self consciousness, uncontrollability and danger, need to control thoughts, positive beliefs, and cognitive confidence. Analyses showed that age main effect was significant on cognitive self consciousness, uncontrollability and danger, need to control thoughts, level of education main effect was significant on positive beliefs, cognitive self consciousness, and need to control thoughts, and interaction effect was significant on cognitive self consciousness and need to control thoughts. These results indicated that there were negative relationships between aging, level of education, and negative metacognitive beliefs. Also regression analysis showed that there were significant negative correlation between age, level of education and MCQ' sub-factors which was similar to variance analysis results. Results were discussed with reference to the literature of aging, meta-cognition, and cognitive process.