Strategic, emotional, and motivational influences on metacognition in older adulthood

Abstract

While older adulthood is often associated with a decline in cognitive functions, there are numerous studies that suggest that metacognitive functioning remains relatively intact. This disparity between, for example, explicit memory functioning and ones' insight and control over memory among older adults raises some interesting questions. Can older adults use metacognitive strategies to help compensate for declining memory functions? What role do interest, emotions, and knowledge have on metacognitive judgments? The current chapter discusses both intrinsic and extrinsic motivational influences, and the role of strategy, in older adults' metacognitive processes.