title: Metacognitive monitoring and control processes in children with autism spectrum disorder: Diminished judgement of confidence accuracy.
abstract: Metacognition consists of monitoring processes (the ability to accurately represent one's own mental states) and control processes (the ability to control one's cognitive processes effectively). Both processes play vital roles in self-regulated learning. However, currently it is unclear whether these processes are impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). This study aimed to assess metacognition in thirty-two children with ASD, and 30 IQ-/age-matched neurotypical children, using a judgment of confidence task. It was found that children with ASD showed diminished accuracy in their judgments of confidence, indicating metacognitive monitoring impairments in ASD. Children with ASD also used monitoring to influence control processes significantly less than neurotypical children, despite little evidence of impairments in overall control ability.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Keynes College, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NP, United Kingdom. Electronic address: cg341@kent.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grainger
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Keynes College, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NP, United Kingdom. Electronic address: D.M.Williams@kent.ac.uk.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Autism Research Group, Department of Psychology, Rhind Building, City University London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Sophie.Lind.2@city.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Sophie E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lind
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D000067489:Metacognition / Q000502:physiology*; D000068356:Self-Control
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD); Judgments of confidence (JOC); Metacognition; Metamemory; Self-awareness