Decoding 25 Years of Social Cognition:

Over the last 25 years, research studies into social cognition, particularly theory of mind (ToM), metacognition and social metacognition, have yielded limited and sometimes contradictory findings.These cognitive processes are vital for understanding how individuals interpret and respond to others' mental states, influencing various developmental, educational, and neuroscientific contexts.This systematic review seeks to analyse and synthesise the current research, focusing on the interconnections between ToM, metacognition, and social cognition, using studies sourced from the Scopus database.A total of 162 studies, selected according to PRISMA guidelines, were included in the review.These studies utilized diverse methodologies, including cross-sectional and longitudinal designs, providing a broad understanding of these cognitive processes across different populations.The findings indicate that ToM plays a crucial role in the development of both metacognition and social metacognition, with strong correlations observed in populations ranging from children to individuals with schizophrenia.However, significant gaps were identified, particularly in the diversity of study samples and the availability of longitudinal data.The heavy focus on Western populations limits the generalisability of the findings, and the scarcity of longitudinal studies hampers the understanding of how these processes evolve over time.The review highlights the need for more integrative and cross-cultural research to deepen our understanding and to create tailored educational, clinical, and social interventions.Addressing these gaps could improve cognitive and social functioning across diverse populations, leading to better educational outcomes, mental health interventions, and social policies.