Being aware of what you don't know

[Jonathan]

Fascinating article here about the difference between cognition (knowing something factually) and metacognition (being aware of whether you know something or not): Learn to Understand Your Own Intelligence - Pick the Brain - Getting Smarter Every Day

It's obvious how we can improve cognition - read more, take classes, live life! But how can we improve metacognition? To me it seems like being humble, and aware of the wisdom in everyone.

[Jill]

Loved that article. It's 100% true!

[dadeon]

Interesting article and especially interesting from a cognitive perspective. It don't think that 'cognition' is the real issue. When you read David Coleman's facinating book 'Emotional Intelligence' you will understand whay I say so. His argument is that real intelligence is located in the emotional faculties of the mind. How this differs from meta-cognition...well, I don't know. What you describe as neta-cognition is a 'knowing' or an inner realization while the emotional intteligence is based on a feeling. Coleman has some great insights into this field. Well worth a read

[Liara Covert]

Emotional Intelligence is a great book. One key point is that there tends to be a BIG difference between what we learn about emotions in theory and what we apply and learn in practice.

"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds.” -Sir Winston Churchill

[John Wesley]

Thanks for posting Jonathan. It's an honor to have the StevePavlina forum community discuss my article.

[Jonathan]

No worries John, really enjoyed it. I like to have logical/scientific explanations for people's behaviour, and this seems to go some way to explaining the arrogance of the "know-it-all" each of us so often has the misfortune to stumble across. From now on, rather than getting frustrated with them, I'll just think "they may have good cognition, but they're nothing where metacognition's concerned"!

[Mark Lapierre]

Originally Posted by dadeon

It don't think that 'cognition' is the real issue. When you read David Coleman's facinating book 'Emotional Intelligence' you will understand whay I say so. His argument is that real intelligence is located in the emotional faculties of the mind. How this differs from meta-cognition...well, I don't know. What you describe as neta-cognition is a 'knowing' or an inner realization while the emotional intteligence is based on a feeling.

That 'knowing' also seems to be a feeling to me. It's based on certainty of knowledge rather than the knowledge itself.

For me it's displayed most clearly in my direction sense. If I'm trying to get from one place to another and have taken that path a few times before, in most cases I can take the path again with no trouble. However if you ask me to give you directions along that same path, I'll have difficulty doing so, while still feeling, with complete certainty, that I can walk the path. And give me a map and I can clearly show you the path.

On the topic of how to improve meta-cognition, mindfulness meditation is definitely an effective method, in my experience. It may also be useful to look into the lives of people such as Richard Feynman, renowned for his willingness, or even eagerness to admit, and then strive to overcome, his own ignorance.

[claraneco]

Hi, I was just surfing the internet and started to take some iq tests, It turned out that my iq is 145 and I'm totally freaked out. I do not trust these tests, and would like to go to an specialist.
Anyway if this tests are correct, and my IQ is really high then I suppose that things will make more sense to me.
The way I think.. let's see, I think too much, try to analyse the why of things all the time and I'm a great persuader. I feel un comprehended and frustrated most of the time when I speak to people, I just feel we are speaking different languages (I'm from Argentina by the way) I had a difficult family history I don't know if that has something to do with it. But yes, I take quick and thoughtful decisions, it takes me few seconds to analyse situations and act. I try to rationalize any minor thing (which is not good) And feel ignorant against this world, or should I say life, meaning. I love philosophy and wonder.
Anyway that's me! jejeje
I'm a bit shocked trying to find out what the hell should I do with a high IQ, and that's how I found this site and thought I leave a comment. I'm a ballet dancer.
xxx Bye