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Metacognition and the Mind

Thinking about thinking—and how we come to know what we know

Memory
Improve Your Memory: The Case Against Crosswords and Google

Alan Castel Ph.D. on September 28, 2015

Do crosswords help improve cognitive functioning, or are you just strengthening a strength?
And if you can’t recall some bit of information, should Google always be the answer?

Do crosswords help improve cognitive functioning, or are you just strengthening a strength?
And if you can’t recall some bit of information, should Google always be the answer?

Memory
Sherlock Holmes: The Case of Memory and Aging

Alan Castel Ph.D. on July 29, 2015

Sherlock Holmes is the quintessential detective, but what happens to his memory and his mind in old age? The new movie Mr. Holmes, as well as current research on cognitive aging, allow for an important case study on memory and aging.

Sherlock Holmes is the quintessential detective, but what happens to his memory and his mind in old age? The new movie Mr. Holmes, as well as current research on cognitive aging, allow for an important case study on memory and aging.

Memory
Why We Can't Remember the Things We Most Often See

Alan Castel Ph.D. on March 3, 2015

Where was the last fire extinguisher you saw? Do you remember where the “B” key is on your keyboard? Even things we see and interact with constantly can be forgotten—sometimes because we see them so much.

Where was the last fire extinguisher you saw? Do you remember where the “B” key is on your keyboard? Even things we see and interact with constantly can be forgotten—sometimes because we see them so much.

Memory
Why Famous People Aren’t Immune to False Memories

Alan Castel Ph.D. on February 9, 2015

There are many important reasons why Brian Williams would in fact feel like he indeed remembers riding in a helicopter that was hit and damaged, even if he was nowhere near it.

There are many important reasons why Brian Williams would in fact feel like he indeed remembers riding in a helicopter that was hit and damaged, even if he was nowhere near it.

Internet Addiction
Can Brain Training Be Brain Draining?

Alan Castel Ph.D. on October 13, 2014

The biggest cost of computer-based brain games may be more screen time, which means less time for physical exercise, and research shows that exercise can improve memory and cognition.

The biggest cost of computer-based brain games may be more screen time, which means less time for physical exercise, and research shows that exercise can improve memory and cognition.

Memory
Can Seeing a Doctor Give You Symptoms of Dementia?

Alan Castel Ph.D. on July 22, 2014

Taking a memory test can be stressful, especially if you are concerned about Alzheimer's disease, but negative age-based beliefs about your memory can hurt your performance.

Taking a memory test can be stressful, especially if you are concerned about Alzheimer's disease, but negative age-based beliefs about your memory can hurt your performance.

Attention
Selective Perception and Attention at the World Cup

Alan Castel Ph.D. on June 26, 2014

Even though we all watch the same World Cup games, because of selective perception and attention, people may report what they saw very differently.

Even though we all watch the same World Cup games, because of selective perception and attention, people may report what they saw very differently.

Wisdom
Wisdom: Ask Siri? Or Ask Grandma?

Alan Castel Ph.D. on April 14, 2014

Today, we turn to the internet for everything, with Wikipedia being our web-based wisdom, and Google providing the search capabilities that often surpasses our failing memory, so is web-based wisdom taking over how we access and acquire knowledge, and at what expense?

Today, we turn to the internet for everything, with Wikipedia being our web-based wisdom, and Google providing the search capabilities that often surpasses our failing memory, so is web-based wisdom taking over how we access and acquire knowledge, and at what expense?

Education
Learning to Type Before Learning to Write?

Alan Castel Ph.D. on November 6, 2013

With cursive writing now becoming a thing of the past, will typing be more important than handwriting for the next generation of children? What are the cognitive implications?

With cursive writing now becoming a thing of the past, will typing be more important than handwriting for the next generation of children? What are the cognitive implications?

Cognition
Can Following Baseball Be Good For Your Brain?

Alan Castel Ph.D. on October 10, 2013

We often think of the brain as a muscle, and consider crossword puzzles to be the ultimate brain challenge. But what about following a baseball game? While some people might think this is simply a passive form of entertainment, lots of cognitive operations occur before, during, and after the game. Thinking about baseball may be rewarding in many ways…

We often think of the brain as a muscle, and consider crossword puzzles to be the ultimate brain challenge. But what about following a baseball game? While some people might think this is simply a passive form of entertainment, lots of cognitive operations occur before, during, and after the game. Thinking about baseball may be rewarding in many ways…

Bias
Why Whitey Bulger Went Unnoticed in Older Age

Alan Castel Ph.D. on July 23, 2013

A most-wanted criminal hides because of a bias in face recognition. This “own-age” advantage or bias in face recognition may have helped Whitey Bulger elude authorities for years.

A most-wanted criminal hides because of a bias in face recognition. This “own-age” advantage or bias in face recognition may have helped Whitey Bulger elude authorities for years.

Memory
Focus on What Is Important, to Be Efficient and Happy…

Alan Castel Ph.D. on June 25, 2013

The ability to selectively focus on what is important allows us to function efficiently, and it can do more than that, as it can relax us and make us feel happier. In fact, one benefit of getting older is that this ability to selectively focus on important things may just happen naturally as we age…

The ability to selectively focus on what is important allows us to function efficiently, and it can do more than that, as it can relax us and make us feel happier. In fact, one benefit of getting older is that this ability to selectively focus on important things may just happen naturally as we age…