Conditions and factors of metacognitive activity of an individual in the dimensions of the behavioral organization of one’s mental life

Abstract

The article provides a theoretical and methodological justification and empirical study of metacognitive activity as a holistic mental formation that includes conscious attitudes-dispositions, ways of perception, forms of thinking and reflection, which enables a person to comprehend his own cognition as a form of his presence in the world. Modern directions of its research are analyzed, such as: cognitive, educational-applied, neuroscientific, developmental (ontogenetic), clinical. The need to consider metacognitions through the lens that allows them to be explored in other dimensions – meaning-making and existential – is substantiated. On the basis of the cyclical-action approach, the essential features of metacognitive activity are outlined, in particular its holistic nature within the framework of completed action, the integrative nature of different-level mental phenomena, continuous reflexive-activity dynamics, and the ability to ensure self-organization and uniqueness of personal experience. The forms of metacognitive activity corresponding to different levels-projections of human existence are characterized, and the factors that activate them are conceptually defined. The first elementary manifestations of metacognition appear at the level of the subject and are realized in self-observation and the application of regulatory strategies in specific cognitive situations. Their factors are seen in the formed arbitrary self-regulation and the mediation of actions-operations. The carrier of metacognitive activity as a complete act of action is the personality. Its essential characteristics are the ability of a person to thoroughly analyze reality and his own motivational and value autonomy. At the level of individuality, metacognitions acquire originality and originality, which is provided by a person's reflective (objectified) position and his essential understanding of the world order. And in the dimension of the universe, they become a reflexively mediated mechanism of self-creation of the individual, associated with self- and life-creating possibilities, holistic understanding of oneself and the world, aspirations for true existence. To determine the predictive ability of the outlined factors, an empirical study was conducted. According to the results of regression analysis, it was found that the indirectness of activity, personal autonomy and systemic reflection are statistically significant predictors of metacognitive activity. Therefore, metacognition is a special, self-developing, reflective form-method of analytical mastery, balanced comprehension and essential comprehension of being.