Metacognition and emotion - How accurate perception of own biases relates to positive feelings and hedonic capacity.

Metacognition refers to awareness of one's own cognitive processes, including examining own biases and decision making. Metacognitive self (MCS), defined as accuracy in perception of own biases, is associated with pro-health behaviors and desire for feedback, including negative information. Two studies investigated MCS in relation to emotion and hedonic capacity. First, in a longitudinal study of college students, MCS measure was stable over time, and correlated with feelings of love and joy. In the second study, MCS, mood, and hedonic capacity ratings were collected prior to evaluating stimuli for pleasure from engagement during an fMRI. Higher MCS was associated with greater hedonic capacity and increased signal in cortical areas involved in self-reflection and decision making. Our findings implicate self-awareness of biases as a cognitive process supporting positive emotional state and hedonic capacity. Future studies should explore how MCS relates to changes in mood and vulnerability to mood disorders.