Which term describes the capacity for introspection and recognizing oneself as an individual?

• A. Metacognition
• B. Self-Awareness
• C. Self-Concept
• D. Self-Esteem

Answer: (B)

Self-awareness is the capacity for introspection and recognizing oneself as an individual. It means you can reflect on your own thoughts and feelings and understand that you are a separate person from others. This awareness often emerges in early childhood, as children begin to recognize themselves in a mirror and describe their own traits and preferences. Metacognition refers to thinking about thinking processes, which is related but broader than recognizing oneself. Self-concept is the overall picture of who you are—your attributes and roles—while self-esteem is about how you feel about your own worth. So the term that best matches the idea of looking inward and identifying yourself as a distinct person is self-awareness.