Thinking about thinking: A longitudinal investigation linking developments in metacognition, inhibitory control, and theory of mind

Mariel Symeonidou; Martin J Doherty; Josephine Ross

doi:10.1016/j.jecp.2024.106103

Thinking about thinking: A longitudinal investigation linking developments in metacognition, inhibitory control, and theory of mind

Mariel Symeonidou
, Martin J Doherty
, Josephine Ross (Lead / Corresponding author)

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

195 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This longitudinal study tracked the developmental relations linking metacognition, theory of mind, and inhibitory control in 52 children across a 1.5-year interval, beginning at 3 or 4 years of age. Metacognition and inhibitory control emerged before theory of mind and predicted subsequent theory of mind competence. Moreover, there was evidence of developmental mediation, whereby metacognition predicted inhibitory control, which predicted theory of mind. We suggest that metacognitive self-reflection may provide the “developmental enrichment” necessary to think about thinking, and when inhibitory control is sufficiently developed this thinking can be extended to complex reasoning about own and other minds.

Original language	English
Article number	106103
Number of pages	19
Journal	Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
Volume	249
Early online date	17 Oct 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2024.106103
Publication status	Published - Jan 2025

Keywords

Metacognition
Introspection
Inhibitory Control
Theory of Mind
Longitudinal Development
Child Development

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Developmental and Educational Psychology

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10.1016/j.jecp.2024.106103Licence: CC BY

Final Published VersionFinal published version, 810 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Thinking about thinking: A longitudinal investigation linking developments in metacognition, inhibitory control, and theory of mind",

abstract = "This longitudinal study tracked the developmental relations linking metacognition, theory of mind, and inhibitory control in 52 children across a 1.5-year interval, beginning at 3 or 4 years of age. Metacognition and inhibitory control emerged before theory of mind and predicted subsequent theory of mind competence. Moreover, there was evidence of developmental mediation, whereby metacognition predicted inhibitory control, which predicted theory of mind. We suggest that metacognitive self-reflection may provide the “developmental enrichment” necessary to think about thinking, and when inhibitory control is sufficiently developed this thinking can be extended to complex reasoning about own and other minds.",

keywords = "Metacognition, Introspection, Inhibitory Control, Theory of Mind, Longitudinal Development, Child Development",

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AB - This longitudinal study tracked the developmental relations linking metacognition, theory of mind, and inhibitory control in 52 children across a 1.5-year interval, beginning at 3 or 4 years of age. Metacognition and inhibitory control emerged before theory of mind and predicted subsequent theory of mind competence. Moreover, there was evidence of developmental mediation, whereby metacognition predicted inhibitory control, which predicted theory of mind. We suggest that metacognitive self-reflection may provide the “developmental enrichment” necessary to think about thinking, and when inhibitory control is sufficiently developed this thinking can be extended to complex reasoning about own and other minds.

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KW - Introspection

KW - Inhibitory Control

KW - Theory of Mind

KW - Longitudinal Development

KW - Child Development

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JO - Journal of Experimental Child Psychology

JF - Journal of Experimental Child Psychology

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ER -

Thinking about thinking: A longitudinal investigation linking developments in metacognition, inhibitory control, and theory of mind

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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