Sternberg refers to these executive processes as "metacomponents" in his
triarchic theory of intelligence (Sternberg, 1984, 1986a, 1986b). Metacomponents
are executive processes that control other cognitive components as well as
receive feedback from these components. According to Sternberg, metacomponents
are responsible for "figuring out how to do a particular task or set of tasks,
and then making sure that the task or set of tasks are done correctly"
(Sternberg, 1986b, p. 24). These executive processes involve planning,
evaluating and monitoring problem-solving activities. Sternberg maintains that
the ability to appropriately allocate cognitive resources, such as deciding how
and when a given task should be accomplished, is central to
intelligence.
Surprising new research may rewrite learning theory as Brown University scientists contend that distractions do not necessarily impede the learning process of a motor task. Investigators discovered that if attention was as divided during recall of a motor task as it was during learning the task, people performed as if there were no distractions at either stage. Thus, the real issue is that inconsistent distraction can impair our recollection of the task. As long as our attention is as divided when we have to recall a motor skill as it was when we learned it, we'll do just fine, say the researchers.
