How is metacognition best described?

Metacognition is best described as awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes. This definition encompasses the ability to recognize how you think, learn, and remember, as well as the strategies you employ to solve problems or understand new information. It involves a conscious awareness that allows individuals to reflect on their cognitive functions, regulate their learning strategies, and improve their comprehension and retention of information. By gaining insight into their own thinking processes, learners can adjust their approaches and develop more effective study habits, making metacognition a critical component in the learning process.

The other options outline specific techniques or practices but do not capture the broader concept of metacognition. For example, memorization techniques are a component of learning but do not encompass the reflective awareness of thought processes. Evaluating a group's intelligence level does not relate to individual thought awareness, and learning cognitive skills through practice is a method of gaining knowledge, rather than a conscious reflection on one's own thought processes.