The Dunning-Kruger Effect
During our third and final session on biases, we learned about and discussed several types of biases. There was a lot of discussion about the specific bias known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect. This bias is a psychological phenomenon where people with low ability or knowledge in a particular area tend to overestimate how good they are at it.
For example:
Imagine someone who just started learning to play guitar. After a few lessons, they might feel like they're amazing, maybe even better than some pros. But in reality, they’ve just scratched the surface. They don’t know enough yet to realize how much they don’t know.
On the flip side, people who are actually skilled often underestimate themselves, because they understand how complex the subject really is and see what they still have to learn.
-
Beginner: “This is easy! I’m great at it!”
-
Expert: “This is hard. I still have a lot to learn.”
So, the Dunning-Kruger Effect is basically, “The less you know, the more you think you know.”
It’s not about being dumb — it’s about how our confidence and competence don't always line up.
How to avoid The Dunning-Kruger Effect:
Realize that Confidence ≠ Competence
Be aware that feeling confident isn't always a sign you're right. And feeling uncertain doesn't mean you're wrong. Confidence is just a feeling — not a fact.
Stay humble, keep learning, and regularly question your assumptions.
For more information about The Dunning-Kruger Effect, read this article on PsychologyToday.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Feel free to share your thoughts with us.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.