A framework that examines the different overarching models we have for understanding metacognition—our ability to think about our own thinking. Competing paradigms might view metacognition as: a central executive function in a computer-like brain, an emergent property of distributed neural processes, or a socially constructed skill learned through dialogue. Your metacognitive paradigm dictates how you try to improve thinking, whether through brain training, meditation, or social critique.
Metacognitive Paradigm Theory Example: A self-help guru teaching "mindfulness" operates in a Metacognitive Paradigm that sees thought as a stream to be observed non-judgmentally. A cognitive therapist teaching clients to identify "cognitive distortions" operates in a paradigm that sees thought as a set of propositions to be logically analyzed. They're both doing metacognition, but from fundamentally different theoretical starting points.
by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 4, 2026
Get the Metacognitive Paradigm Theory mug.The conceptual framework explaining how humans think about their own thinking. It models metacognition as a hierarchical control system involving monitoring (assessing your own knowledge or performance) and control (regulating learning strategies based on that assessment). The theory explores why these processes often fail (e.g., the Dunning-Kruger effect), how they develop, and how they can be improved through education and training. It’s the user manual for the brain's executive function.
Example: Metacognition Theory explains why a student might incorrectly feel they’ve mastered material after passive highlighting. Their monitoring failed because the familiar feeling of re-reading was mistaken for comprehension. The theory suggests better control strategies, like self-testing, which provides more accurate feedback on actual learning.
by Nammugal February 5, 2026
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