Final answer:
The term for the capacity 'thinking about thinking' that enables adolescents to learn and solve problems more efficiently is called metacognition. This cognitive development feature emerges during adolescence, allowing greater self-reflection and higher-order thinking skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
The capacity for "thinking about thinking" that enables adolescents to learn and solve problems more efficiently is known as metacognition. This is a critical component of cognitive development during adolescence. Metacognition involves higher-order thinking skills that allow teenagers to reflect on and assess their thought processes.
Throughout adolescence, individuals undergo significant cognitive development, which includes the transition to more abstract, logical thinking and problem solving. Metacognition is a concept that becomes particularly relevant as teenagers develop the ability to reason about their own cognition, often questioning established norms and engaging in critical reflection.
By the age of 15, many adolescents exhibit cognitive abilities, such as attention, memory, processing speed, and organization, which are comparable to those of adults. Cognitive development may continue into the early 20s, with greater capacity for insight and judgment developing through experience.