How does awareness of cognitive biases shape judgement and metacognition? What is the influence of metacognition on the perception of self and others?

Understanding the mechanisms that drive human decision-making is critical, not only for individual well-being but also for broader social and economic outcomes. Cognitive biases, misinformation, and poor self-awareness can distort decision-making processes, leading to undesirable consequences in public health, political landscapes, and economic systems. Given the growing influence of misinforma4on in society, understanding how we process information, make judgements, and become aware of our cognitive biases is more important than ever. This research aims to inves4gate the neural and behavioural aspects of decision-making and metacognition, with the potential to develop strategies to improve critical thinking and reduce cognitive distortions in both individuals and society. Building on my previous work in psychological research, my DPhil will examine the interplay between decision-making, metacognition (the awareness and regulation of one's cognitive processes), and the neural processes that underlie these phenomena.
I aim to bridge the gap between computational, behavioural, and neural perspectives on cognition, contributing to the growing body of research on how metacognition and decision-making operate in the brain. This research will enhance our
understanding of self-awareness and cognitive control while informing strategies to improve critical thinking, decision-making, and mitigate the effects of cognitive biases in real-world contexts. Given the societal challenges posed by misinformation and cognitive distortions, the cognitive, computational, behavioural, and neural insights gained from this project have the potential to inform interventions that foster rational decision-making across diverse social and economic settings.