What term describes an individual's understanding of their own thinking processes?

The term that describes an individual's understanding of their own thinking processes is metacognition. This concept involves being aware of one's cognitive processes, including how one thinks, learns, and remembers. Metacognition encompasses two key components: knowledge about one's cognitive abilities (such as knowing what strategies work best for learning) and the regulation of one's cognitive processes (which includes planning, monitoring, and evaluating one's learning activities).

Having metacognitive skills allows individuals to assess their understanding and effectiveness in various tasks, enabling them to make adjustments to their approach when necessary. This self-awareness is crucial for learning, as it empowers individuals to take control of their educational experiences, enhancing their ability to process information and retain knowledge effectively.

In contrast, the other terms do not directly refer to the awareness of one's own thinking. For example, meta-analysis pertains to the statistical method used to combine results from various studies, self-regulation involves managing one’s emotions and behaviors in pursuit of goals, and cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced when holding contradictory beliefs.