UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Metacognition literally means “thinking about thinking” and includes awareness of one’s own cognitive processes. It involves knowing what strategies to use, when to use them and how well they are working during learning. Learners with strong metacognitive skills can plan, monitor and evaluate their understanding and performance. Therefore, the self-awareness and regulation of thinking described in the stem is called metacognition.

Option A:
Cognition refers broadly to mental processes such as perception, memory and reasoning. It describes thinking itself rather than awareness and control over that thinking. As such, it does not precisely capture the reflective, regulatory aspect highlighted in the question.

Option B:
Conditioning is a behaviourist concept describing how responses become associated with stimuli through reinforcement or punishment. It does not speak to learners’ conscious awareness or management of their cognitive strategies. Hence, it is not the appropriate term here.

Option C:
Metacognition encompasses both knowledge about one’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and the self-regulatory actions taken during tasks. For example, a student may notice confusion and decide to reread or seek help. This kind of monitoring and adjustment is exactly what the stem points to, making this option correct.

Option D:
Reinforcement involves consequences that increase or decrease the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring. It does not focus on a learner’s internal reflection on how they are thinking. Therefore, it cannot be equated with the concept of metacognition described in the stem.