Use metacognitive interventions to promote adaptive use of cognitive tools¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 2 studies (1 review, 1 associational), q2 · 0 of 2 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The review's main practical conclusion is that because 'metacognitive processes play a key role in triggering' offloading, 'metacognitive interventions could play an important role in promoting the adaptive use of cognitive tools'. More accurate understanding of one's memory ability allows more effective targeting of external resources. The authors speculate such interventions could have greater impact on everyday functioning than brain training.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Interventions must shift metacognitive confidence or beliefs about memory ability, as in the practice-difficulty and feedback manipulations of Gilbert et al. (2020, Experiment 3)

Constraints¶

• The review notes the effects of metacognitive interventions on cognitive offloading have been inconsistent across studies, and the cross-domain organisation of metacognition and offloading is still poorly understood

Target Learners¶

• adults
• older adults

Target Learning Goals¶

• remembering and fulfilling delayed intentions through adaptive use of external reminders

Claims¶

• Metacognitive confidence triggers intention offloading independently of objective memory need [+W]
• Metacognitive self-regulation mediates the relationships between all three AI interaction mechanisms and both higher-order outcomes [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• Incorporate metacognitive interventions such as mindfulness, feedback, and problem-based programs into educational practice to support adaptive offloading

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Gilbert, S. J., Boldt, A., Sachdeva, C., Scarampi, C., & Tsai, P.-C. (2023). Outsourcing Memory to External Tools: A Review of 'Intention Offloading'. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-022-02139-4