Self-perception and reflection

Well-developed self-observation and self-evaluation are important for learning success. People are able to reflect on themselves and their actions. How confidently and to what extent self-evaluation and self-reflection function appears to be controlled by the prefrontal cortex. Research teams have discovered physiological correlations between why some people are good at self-observation and why others are less effective at self-evaluation.

Content

Self-perception and behaviour

Man is capable of reflecting on himself and his actions. He is able to think about what he is thinking or has just said. Heinz von Förster calls this "second order thinking". This also applies to self-evaluation when making decisions. To what extent and with what confidence self-evaluation and self-reflection function in individuals appears to be controlled by the prefrontal cortex. Research teams have investigated the development of this metacognitive ability and also found physiological correlates to explain why some people are good at self-observation and others may be less effective at self-evaluation. Especially with regard to the self-evaluation of the decisions made, it was found that the structure of the gray matter in the prefrontal cortex is somewhat larger in reflective people than in people with a low degree of self-evaluation ability.

Self-perception and self-observation are essential to the formation of one's own consciousness. Self-image is formed by the sum of self-perceptions, but is also supplemented by experienced external perceptions. Since self-perception is a highly subjective process, it can also be distorted. Problems with self-perception and self-image can then lead to self-doubt, self-deception, and corresponding pathologies (such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or anorexia).

Self-perception and learning

Good self-evaluation and self-awareness allow people to better regulate their actions. This also means that your own learning processes can be better observed and structured. Metacognitive skills, i.e. well-developed self-observation and self-evaluation, are essential factors for successful learning. Learners can achieve self-directed learning behaviour through subtle perception and systematic observation. This is also a learning process where one becomes aware of one's own learning behaviour. In this way, one can recognize when and how decisions are made through trial and error. The positive influences that successful learning stages have on inner drive and thus on one's own learning attitude are also relevant to this learning process. In the development of these metacognitive skills, the internal evaluation of the learning environment and the effect of feedback also play an essential role.

What does this mean for my teaching practice?

Metacognitive skills, i.e. well-developed self-observation and self-evaluation, are essential factors for successful learning. But even this subtle perception of one's own learning behavior is subject to a learning process in which children often need assistance.

Reflection question

Why is it so difficult to observe yourself and reflect on your own behaviour?

Quiz

1) The ability to have a good self-assessment depends on

A) high self-esteem
B) grey matter in the prefrontal cortex