Age-Related Dynamics of Structural Organization of the Metacognitive Processes and Traits of Personality

Introduction. The paper: (a) considers theoretical and empirical studies on the age-related dynamics of structural organization of the metacognitive processes and traits of personality; (b) focuses on quantitative indices of structural organization of the metacognitive processes and traits of personality for various age groups; and (c) describes general ontogenetic dynamics of metacognitive and meta-regulative processes and traits. Methods. An empirical study was carried out at two levels that mutually reinforced each other. Specific patterns of the dynamics of certain parameters of metacognitive processes and traits of personality were identified and interpreted at the analytical level. The structural level of the study included two large methodological modules—namely, the diagnostic and statistical module, and the structural and psychological one. Results. The study revealed specific characteristics and patterns underlying the genetic and ontogenetic dynamics of metacognitive and meta-regulative personality traits and processes. The indices of structural organization of parameters of the metacognitive processes and traits of personality changed depending on age. Research findings are presented in tables, structuregrams, and graphs. Discussion. The results of the empirical study were considered in the context of the main approaches to studying the metacognitive processes and traits of personality, including the author’s approach. The parameters of the main metacognitive and meta-regulative processes do not change significantly between the age of 20 and 62. However, there is a significant age-related increase in the degree of structural organization of the main parameters of the metacognitive traits and processes of personality. With the increase in participants’ age the general dynamics of the index of coherence of the parameters structure of the metacognitive processes and traits is most pronounced. Besides, the dynamics of the divergence index is significantly less pronounced in all the age groups. It is established that the index of overall organization, which is based on the interaction and mutual co-organization of meta-regulative and metacognitive processes, has the most prominent dynamics. Highlights • Given the lack of critical attention to the relationships among basic provisions of metacognitivism, developmental, and genetic psychology, studying the patterns of age-related dynamics of the metacognitive processes and traits of personality is an imperative. • The individual measures of the extent of manifestation of main metacognitive and meta-regulatory processes do not change substantially in ontogenetic development. • The general increase in the degree of the structural organization of metacognitive and meta-regulative processes and traits of personality underlies their genetic dynamics, which essentially enables the implementation of two main cognitive functions—the compensatory and the resource supplying. • All the discovered structural changes in the metacognitive processes and traits of personality during ontogenetic development represent a specific variation of a systemic genetic development, as the general increase in the degree of its structural organization serves the purpose of its systemic manifestation, which is basic for the psyche as a whole