Metacognition, risk behavior, and risk outcomes: the role of perceived intelligence and perceived knowledge.

Full Abstract

The present study explores 2 key variables in social metacognition: perceived intelligence and perceived levels of knowledge about a specific content domain. The former represents a judgment of one's knowledge at an abstract level, whereas the latter represents a judgment of one's knowledge in a specific content domain. Data from interviews of approximately 8,411 female adolescents from a national sample were analyzed in a 2-wave panel design with a year between assessments. Higher levels of perceived intelligence at Wave 1 were associated with a lower probability of the occurrence of a pregnancy over the ensuing year independent of actual IQ, self-esteem, and academic aspirations. Higher levels of perceived knowledge about the accurate use of birth control were associated with a higher probability of the occurrence of a pregnancy independent of actual knowledge about accurate use, perceived intelligence, self-esteem, and academic aspirations.

Author information

Author/s: Jaccard, James (J); Dodge, Tonya (T); Guilamo-Ramos, Vincent (V);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, USA. jjaccard(-atsign-)fiu.edu

Grants: P01-HD31921 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association (Health Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2005-Mar; vol 24 (issue 2) : pp 161-70

Dates: Created 2005/03/09; Completed 2005/07/15; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 15755230, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

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