Self-confidence and metacognitive processes

Abstract

This paper examines the status of Self-confidence trait. Two studies strongly suggest that Self-confidence is a component of metacognition. In the first study, participants (N=132) were administered measures of Self-concept, a newly devised Memory and Reasoning Competence Inventory (MARCI), and a Verbal Reasoning Test (VRT). The results indicate a significant relationship between confidence ratings on the VRT and the Reasoning component of MARCI. The second study (N=296) employed an extensive battery of cognitive tests and several metacognitive measures. Results indicate the presence of robust Self-confidence and Metacognitive Awareness factors, and a significant correlation between them. Self-confidence taps not only processes linked to performance on items that have correct answers, but also beliefs about events that may never occur.

Keywords

• confidence ratings
• metacognition
• self-confidence
• metacognitive self-monitoring