Metacognition in the rehabilitation of delinquents and criminals: A review of uses of a cognitive psychological approach for effective promotion of self-control, self-awareness, and social adjustment

Abstract

The present article reviews published literature on self-control, self-awareness, and social adaptability in relation to metacognition, because there is a pressing need to find effective methods for preventing recidivism by delinquents and other offenders. The review suggested that individuals with poor metacognitive skills were more likely than those with good skills to fail to perceive important information and to make subjective judgments from a narrow viewpoint. Also, those with poor metacognitive skills tended to have high impulsivity, distort information processing related to self, and misread non-verbal messages from others. The present review of published work in this area suggested that poor metacognitive skills could possibly work to increase the likelihood of recidivism. Metacognition is an ability that anyone can cultivate if given training such as mindfulness, and it might be a key factor in making treatment of delinquents and other criminals more effective than at present.