What is the term for the awareness and regulation of one's own cognitive processes?

The correct answer, metacognition, refers to the awareness and regulation of one's own cognitive processes. This concept involves thinking about one's own thinking, which includes self-monitoring and self-reflection on how we approach learning and problem-solving. Metacognition encompasses two key components: knowledge about one's own cognitive capabilities and the ability to apply this knowledge to control one's learning strategies. For instance, a student employing metacognitive strategies might evaluate their understanding of a topic and decide to adjust their study methods based on their assessment of what works best for them.

In contrast, meta-analysis is a statistical procedure for combining data from multiple studies, while self-regulation pertains to managing one’s emotions and behaviors rather than cognitive processes alone. Cognitive instruction, on the other hand, involves teaching strategies to enhance learning but does not inherently focus on the awareness and regulation of one’s own cognitive processes as metacognition does. Thus, metacognition is the most accurate term for the awareness and regulation of one's cognitive activities.