FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Self-examination and self-evaluation are types of which kind of thinking?

1. Critical thinking

2. Meta cognitive thinking

3. Reflective thinking

4. Creative thinking

The correct answer is: Meta cognitive thinking

Self-examination and self-evaluation are integral components of metacognitive thinking. Metacognition involves the awareness and regulation of one’s own thought processes. It includes understanding when to use various cognitive strategies, monitoring comprehension, and evaluating the effectiveness of those strategies. Through self-examination, individuals assess their own learning and thought processes, which helps them adapt and improve their thinking strategies. This self-awareness and reflection on one's cognitive functions is a hallmark of metacognitive practices. In contrast, while critical thinking involves analyzing information and arguments to form judgments, reflective thinking focuses more on the deeper understanding of one’s experiences. Creative thinking, on the other hand, is primarily about generating new ideas and solutions, often taking a non-linear approach to problem-solving. Each of these types of thinking serves different purposes and is utilized in varying contexts, but metacognitive thinking specifically centers on the awareness and control of one’s own cognitive processes, making it the most fitting answer in this scenario.