Metacognition module (PY41006)

Metacognition represents the ability to reflect on and evaluate our knowledge, experiences, and behaviours, with crucial consequences in everyday life. Metacognitive insight modulates learning, adaptive decision-making, error monitoring, and exploration behaviour.

In fact, marked alteration in metacognitive insight is associated with a range of psychiatric disorders, along with sub-clinical symptom dimensions and belief-structures.

This module explores current knowledge on neurotypical metacognitive processes. It also covers metacognitive deficits associated with a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms and disorders.

Typical topics include:

• definition of metacognition and ways to measure it
• computational and neurobiological mechanisms underlying metacognition
• experimental methods employed to investigate metacognition
• deficits of metacognition associated with both subclinical psychiatric symptoms and clinical disorders
• limits of self-knowledge and metacognition

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• learn about the fields of metacognition and metacognitive defects associated with psychopathology
• gain knowledge and critical understanding of core theories, debates, and behavioural and neuroimaging studies
• learn about the common methodologies and paradigms in the area
• explore existing knowledge on metacognitive deficits across distinct neuropsychiatric disorders, and their revelations regarding the psychological and biological factors underlying neurotypical metacognition

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• critically evaluate relevant research and contrast competing theories
• demonstrate theoretical and methodological understanding of process models of both typical and atypical metacognition and neuroimaging findings
• find, read, and critically evaluate relevant research within this area
• demonstrate critical thinking skills through verbal and written discussion

Assignments / assessment

• coursework essay (40%)
• end-of-semester exam (60%)

Teaching methods / timetable

• face-to-face lectures
• guided seminars
• student-led discussions
• module guidelines
  • course structure, preparatory reading, and coursework guidelines

Teaching in this module will deal with module content, skills development, and coursework preparation and feedback.

Preparatory reading will be given prior to classes and you will be expected to perform a substantial amount of independent study outside of contact time.