Beliefs about Memory as a Mediator of Relations between Metacognitive Beliefs and Actual Memory Performance

ABSTRACT

The goal of the present study was to investigate relationships between personal beliefs about memory, metacognitive beliefs, and actual memory performance. One hundred thirty-seven participants' (aged 20 to 60 years) metacognitive beliefs were measured using the Metacognition Questionnaire (MCQ-30), memory beliefs were measured using the Personal Beliefs about Memory Instrument (PBMI), and an episodic memory task was used to measure actual memory performance, memory predictions, and postdictions. Younger adults had lower scores on the positive beliefs subfactor of the MCQ-30, higher scores on retrospective change and control subfactors of the PBMI, and outperformed middle-aged adults on recall and recall postdiction. Path analysis showed that individuals' beliefs about memory mediate the relationship between metacognitive beliefs and actual memory performance. Specifically, low lack of confidence (or less worry) in one's own memory and attentional capabilities was related to higher memory performance and positive personal beliefs regarding specific memory ability mediated relationship.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging
• memory beliefs
• metacognition
• metamemory

Author note

Metehan Irak is a professor at Bahcesehir University. His current research interests involve cognitive and neurobiological aspects of metacognition and game addiction and cognition. Dicle Çapan is a PhD student at Koc University. Her current research interests involve developmental aspects of metacognition and circadian rhythm and memory.

Acknowledgments

We thank our graduate and undergraduate students at Bahcesehir University Brain and Cognition Research Laboratory for data collection. We also thank Katie Peterson for proofreading.