önfigyelem

Önfigyelem is a term used in Hungarian psychology to describe the intentional focus of attention on one’s internal experiences and cognitive processes. It encompasses awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and mental states, as well as monitoring one’s own thinking and regulation of responses. In this sense, önfigyelem can be seen as a facet of metacognition and self-regulation, enabling individuals to observe internal activity and adjust behavior accordingly.

In research and practice, önfigyelem is often linked to mindfulness and emotion regulation. It emphasizes nonjudgmental awareness of internal experiences and the ability to redirect attention to appropriate cues. This stands in contrast to external attention, which is directed toward objects and events in the surrounding environment. The concept is used to discuss how people attend to, interpret, and manage their internal states in daily life, learning, and coping.

Terminology and scope vary in Hungarian literature. Önfigyelem is not a universally standardized label in international psychology, and its boundaries can overlap with related ideas such as self-monitoring, interoceptive awareness, and metacognitive regulation. It is sometimes discussed alongside self-reflection and self-regulation strategies, depending on the theoretical framework.

Applications of önfigyelem appear in education, therapy, and clinical practice. In educational settings, it supports self-regulated learning and metacognitive strategy use. In clinical contexts, it may aid in managing anxiety, mood disturbances, and attention-related difficulties by promoting awareness of internal cues and adaptive regulation of behavior.

Etymology derives from ön (self) and figyelem (attention). The term remains primarily used within Hungarian discourse on psychology and education. See also: attention, metacognition, self-regulation, mindfulness.