Metacognitive abilities in the elderly: specificity and predictors

Abstract

Elderly is characterized by changes in metacognitive functions in the form of social and emotional selectivity. Compared to 55—60 years, 61—74 and 75—90 years old people have observed changes in social metacognitive effectiveness. There are more changes in the cognitive than emotional (recognition, differentiation of emotions in the face) component of the theory of mind. These changes are characterized by a deficit in the evaluation of higher-order representations of other people’s mental states. In later age there is the phenomenon of denial of socio-cognitive changes or age-specific cognitive anosognosia. Common predictors of social metacognitive effectiveness are identified: the presence and severity of symptoms of depression, anxiety, changes in satisfaction with the quality of life (physical, mental health, social activity, environmental safety). It is shown that in old age (75—90 years) changes in autonomy are predictors of understanding of emotional states in the face and deception by other people.