The Efficacy of Metacognition in the Academic Performance of International Students in a Diverse and Inclusive University Through the Lens of Bandura Social Cognitive Theory

Authors

  • Stephen O. Okojie Jackson State University, Jackson MS 32911

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.1201.18224

Keywords:

Metacognition, Social Cognitive Theory, International Students, Learning Strategies, Academic Performance

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to explore the role of metacognition in the academic performance of international students at a diverse and inclusive university through the lens of Bandura’s social cognitive theory. The study involved in-depth interviews with 20 purposefully sampled international students from various cultural backgrounds enrolled at the university. The interviews concentrated on understanding the students’ perceptions and experiences regarding their metacognitive processes and their impact on academic performance. Thematic analysis was performed to identify recurring themes and patterns in the data. The findings revealed that metacognition plays a crucial role in the educational performance of international students. Participants indicated that being aware of their learning strategies, setting goals, monitoring their progress, and adjusting their approaches based on feedback significantly influenced their academic performance. This study offers valuable insights into the significance of metacognition in the academic performance of international students, as backed by Bandura’s social cognitive theory, highlighting the necessity for educational interventions that enhance students' metacognitive skills in a diverse and inclusive university environment.

References

Abid, M., Muhammad, A., Aaqib, S., & Farhat, S. (2019). The effect of self-efficacy on academic performance at a higher level of learning: A case study of Punjab University Lahore. Journal of Educational Sciences and Research,

Artino, A. R. (2012). Academic self-regulation: A predictor of educational achievement and satisfaction in a multicultural environment. *Journal of Advanced Academics*, 23(3), 250–269.

Baker, L., & Dunbar, K. (2020). Individual differences in metacognitive skill: Exploring variability in selfregulated learning. Educational Psychology Review, 32(3), 421–446.

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.

Bandura, A. (1992). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman and Company.

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman and Company.

Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory: An agentic perspective. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 1-26.

Bhandari, R., & Blumenthal, P. (2020). Global higher education: A landscape analysis. Institute of International Education.

Beine, M., Noël, R., & Ragot, L. (2014). Determinants of the international mobility of students. Economics of Education Review, 41, 40–54.

Brown, L., & Wilson, M. (2019). Teachers' perspectives on fostering meta-learning skills for academic success: A qualitative study. Journal of Educational Research, 28(2), 65–82. 193

Chang, M. (1999). Cultural influences on self-regulated learning: A comparison of Chinese and American students. Journal of Educational Psychology, 91(2), 338–344.

Chen, G., & Wang, X. (2023). The transferability of metacognitive skills from multimedia learning to real-world tasks: A longitudinal study. *Educational Psychology*, 43(2), 189–205.

Chen, J., & Ushioda, E. (2018). Language learning motivation in East Asian and European contexts: Convergent, divergent, and convergent-divergent patterns of multivariate relationships. System, 74, 13–26.

Chen, J., & Zimmerman, B. J. (2021). Self-regulated learning and academic performance: A meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 33(3), 553-584.

Dinsmore, D. L., Alexander, P. A., & Loughlin, S. M. (2020). A framework for metacognition in academic settings: A review of the literature. Educational Psychology Review, 32(4), 1037–1065.

Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4–58.

Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive-developmental inquiry. American Psychologist, 34(10), 906–911.

Galloway, N., Numajiri, T., & Rees, N. (2020). The ‘internationalization’ or ‘Englishisation’ of higher education in East Asia. Higher Education, 80(3), 395–414.

Gijbels, D., Raemdonck, I., Vervecken, D., & Vanthournout, G. (2011). Understanding students’ learning processes in a multicultural university: A self-regulated learning perspective. Higher Education, 62(6), 677–693.

Han, J., Park, Y. S., & Lee, J. E. (2019). Self-efficacy and social support as mediators between acculturative stress and academic performance in international students. Journal of International Students, 9(1), 1–21.

Jansen, E. P., & van de Grift, W. J. (2018). First-year university students’ academic success: The importance of academic adjustment. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 33, 749–767.

Johnson, R., & Smith, K. (2021). Exploring the role of self-efficacy in academic success: A qualitative research review. Qualitative Inquiry, 25(2), 145–165.

Kim, H. J., & Kim, S. H. (2021). The influence of metacognitive strategies on academic performance among international students. International Journal of Educational Research, 110, 101–110.

Kramarski, B., & Michalsky, T. (2021). Metacognition and self-regulated learning in the context of international students: A systematic review. Educational Psychology Review, 33(2), 413–439.

Li, Y., & Kim, H. J. (2018). The role of social interaction in the academic success of international students. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 66, 29–38.

Mayer, R. E. (2019). Multimedia learning. Cambridge University Press.

Mazzarol, T. (2021). Internationalization of higher education: The implications for student mobility and academic performance. Journal of Studies in International Education, 25(2), 123–139.

McGuinness, C., & McGuinness, M. (2018). Self-regulation: The key to learning success. Educational Psychology,

Mok, K. H. (2020). A global perspective on higher education: The role of internationalization in promoting student engagement. Journal of Studies in International Education, 24(1), 3–6. 194

Okojie, S. O. (2025). The Efficacy of Metacognition in the Academic Performance of International Students in a Diverse and Inclusive University

Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Pishghadam, R., & Khajavy, G. H. (2013). The role of metacognitive awareness in academic performance: A systematic review. Educational Psychology, 33(1), 1–21.

Pintrich, P. R. (2000). The role of goal orientation in self-regulated learning. In M. Boekaerts, P. R. Pintrich, & M. Zeidner (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation (pp. 451–502). Academic Press.

Romainville, M. (1994). Cognitive awareness, metacognition, and student learning: A review of the literature. Educational Psychology Review, 6(4), 319–344.

Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (2020). Motivation and self-regulated learning: Theory, research, and applications. Routledge.

Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (2022). Motivation and self-regulated learning: Theory, research, and applications. Routledge.

Schraw, G., & Dennison, R. S. (1994). Assessing metacognitive awareness. Contemporary Educational Psychology,

Tuononen, T., Pärssinen, M., & Niemi, H. (2017). Metacognition and learning: A review of the literature. Educational Psychology Review, 29(2), 301–316.

Wang, Y., & Wu, H. (2021). The role of meta-learning in academic performance: A study of university students. Educational Technology & Society, 24(2), 145–159.

Yu, K., & Park, S. (2017). The relationship between self-efficacy and academic performance of international students: The mediating role of acculturative stress. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 60, 1–11.

Zajacova, A., Lynch, S. M., & Espenshade, J. (2017). Self-discipline and academic achievement: A review. Sociology of Education, 90(2), 145–162.

Zhang, Y., & Zheng, J. (2020). Metacognitive strategies and academic performance: A study of international students. Educational Studies, 46(4), 455–471.

Zhang, Y., & Zheng, J. (2021). The role of metacognitive strategies in the academic performance of international students: A systematic review. Educational Psychology, 41(1), 1–18.

Zhou, M., Wang, Y., & Liu, H. (2023). The impact of adaptability on academic performance and well-being of international students in the United States. Journal of Studies in International Education, 27(3), 210–225.

Zepke, N., & Leach, L. (2020). Student engagement and metacognition: A qualitative study of student experiences. Studies in Higher Education, 45(4), 696–709.

Zimmerman, B. J. (2000). Attaining self-regulation: A social cognitive perspective. In M. Boekaerts, P. R. Pintrich, & M. Zeidner (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation (pp. 13–39). Academic Press.

Zimmerman, B. J., & Schunk, D. H. (2011). Self-regulated learning and performance: An introduction and overview. In B. J. Zimmerman & D. H. Schunk (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation of learning and performance (pp. 1-12). Routledge.

Downloads

Published

2025-01-25

How to Cite

Okojie, S. O. (2025). The Efficacy of Metacognition in the Academic Performance of International Students in a Diverse and Inclusive University Through the Lens of Bandura Social Cognitive Theory. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 12(01), 178–195. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.1201.18224